NGFA/NAEGA Agroterrorism/Facility Security Committee

On August 2 the NAEGA/NGFA Joint Committee on Agroterrorism and Facility Security met in Omaha, Nebraska to discuss ongoing business and policy items including the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). The Committee began its meeting with a discussion of the intentional adulteration provisions of FDA’s FSMA rule on both grain handling and processing facilities. Some Committee members are working on a Food Defense Template that could be potentially used by others in industry after its review and beta testing by the University of Montana.

The Committee was also updated by the Department of Homeland Security on the revised CFATS “Top Screen” process. Those covered by CFATS will now have to resubmit their SVA. Based on the new guidelines some facilities may either become un-tiered or move to a higher level because the dispersion model for the chemicals has been changed. Thus, a Tier 4 facility that handles chlorine i.e. dry mill may move higher up the list based on concentrations.

Lastly, the committee moved forward with support of the draft cybersecurity best practices document. A final version, incorporating member input will be prepared for approval.

A copy of the meeting’s agenda can be found here. For more information, please contact Gary or Ryan.