Clemson University Regulatory and Public Service Programs (RPSP) anticipates and ensures as much as possible that the areas they regulate are protected from bioterrorist activities so that commerce can continue to serve the citizens of South Carolina.

The four areas of concern for potential bioterrorist attacks are:

• misuse of fertilizers;
• pesticide misuse or pesticides used deliberately as poisons;
• security of aerial applicators’ aircraft; and
• introduction of human, livestock, or plant diseases and/or their vectors and subsequent pesticidal control.

As security precautions, RPSP contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), providing them with addresses and telephone numbers of all South Carolina aerial applicators. After consulting several other state agencies and the Columbia Field Office of the FBI, RPSP also contacted all 104 aerial applicators in South Carolina requesting that they report suspicious persons to the FBI and secure their aircraft to every extent possible. In addition, RPSP contacted all fertilizer registrants asking them to report to the FBI any unusual fertilizer purchases. All 304 South Carolina Pesticide Dealers were also contacted requesting that they report suspicious persons and any shortages or thefts to the FBI, and that they secure highly toxic pesticides and fertilizers. And, RPSP contacted all South Carolina fertilizer manufacturers and distributors asking them to report any suspicious sales of fertilizers and to keep all materials locked and secure.

For more information, contact Dr. Neil Ogg, Director of Regulatory and Public Service Programs Clemson Universiity, 864-646-2120.