Four major national agribusiness organizations are completing development of an updated, expanded guide to further assist industry firms in conducting security risk assessments and developing risk-based facility security plans as part of the industry's ongoing, proactive efforts to protect the food and feed supply.
Initially developed by the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) in 2001 shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the guide will convey new information and provide, for the first time, an easy-to-use template that agricultural facilities can use as a framework to develop or revise existing facility security plans.
The guide is intended for grain elevators, feed and feed ingredient manufacturers, flour mills and other grain and oilseed processors in developing or modifying facility security plans to incorporate procedures that are effective, practical, risk-based and realistic based upon the type, characteristics and operation of individual facilities, as well as the geographic surroundings in which they exist.
The project is being spearheaded by a Joint Agroterrorism/Facility Security Committee that consists of representatives of member companies from the NGFA, North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) and Grain E
levator and Processing Society (GEAPS). Representatives of the North American Millers' Association (NAMA) also are participating actively in the joint effort.
The four organizations reviewed the latest draft of the guide during a meeting earlier this month in St. Louis, Mo., and set a goal of finalizing it during the spring of 2009. Once finalized, the groups will be collaborating to distribute and conduct educational sessions on it.
Among other things, the guide will include:
- A step-by-step approach for conducting a security risk assessment of all aspects of a facility's operation - from receiving to shipment of outbound products. Such risk assessments constitute a necessary precursor to developing a prudent, risk-based security plan, so that it focuses on real, rather than perceived, risks. The guide also will include a generic flow diagram of a grain elevator, feed mill and flour mill to assist in conducting a risk assessment.
- A menu of concepts that managers can consider incorporating into a new or existing facility security plan. The ideas presented will provide a risk-based approach for addressing the security of the physical facility and grounds; operating and personnel procedures; shipping and receiving procedures; and options for responding to emergencies or incidents.
- A first-of-its-kind template that will provide a framework that managers can use to develop or evaluate a facility security plan. The template will include draft examples of various risk-based policies, procedures and concepts conveyed in the guide that can be used, modified or expanded upon to reflect specific security measures appropriate for a given facility.
- An overview of federal laws and regulations pertaining to facility security, as well as links to websites containing additional useful information. The guide also will include a glossary of commonly used facility security-related terms.
About the Organizations
National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA): Established in 1896, the NGFA consists of 950-member companies that operate grain elevators; feed and feed ingredient manufacturing facilities; grain and oilseed milling and processing plants; grain export elevators; biofuel plants; and other grain-related businesses. Combined, these members operate about 6,000 facilities that handle more than 70 percent of all U.S. grains and oilseeds. In addition, the NGFA consists of 36 affiliated state and regional U.S. grain and feed associations, as well as two international affiliated associations. The NGFA also has strategic alliances with the Pet Food Institute, and Grain Elevator and Processing Society, and is co-located and jointly operates with the North American Export Grain Association.
North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA): NAEGA, a not for profit trade association, established in 1912, consists of private and publicly owned companies and farmer-owned cooperatives that are involved in and provide services to the bulk grain and oilseed exporting industry. NAEGA's mission is to promote and sustain the development of commercial export of grain and oilseed and their primary products. Through a reliance on member action and support, NAEGA acts to accomplish this mission from its office in Washington D.C., and in markets throughout the world.
North American Millers' Association (NAMA): NAMA is the trade association representing the wheat, corn, oat and rye milling industry. NAMA's 47-member companies operate 170 mills in 38 states and Canada. Their aggregate production of more than 160 million pounds per day is approximately 95 percent of the total industry capacity.
Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS): GEAPS is a not-for-profit international professional association dedicated to advancing leadership, innovation and excellence in grain handling and processing industry operations. Established in 1929, GEAPS' member network spans 18 countries. GEAPS some 2,500 members are individuals responsible for post-harvest grain handling, storage and processing facility operations. Members also include suppliers of related equipment, products and services, educators, researchers and government officials. The majority of GEAPS members operate country, terminal and export port grain handling facilities in North America, where GEAPS has 30 chapters.
