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U.S. Response: Homeland Security Department Assumes Control of Plum Island Facility The U.S. Homeland Security Department announced last week that it would assume management of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center off Long Island, N.Y., which studies animal pathogens (see GSN, June 24, 2002). Homeland Security and the U.S. Agriculture Department, which currently manages the facility, have begun a joint management program to oversee a four-month transition period, according to a Homeland Security press release. Under the new management, Plum Island researchers will contribute their expertise to Homeland Security’s biological counterterrorism efforts, which includes the prevention of agricultural terrorism, the release said (see GSN, June 12). “We look forward to working closely with our USDA colleagues on a focused research and development program and management plan that will help us prevent, respond to, and recover from agroterrorism attacks,” said Homeland Security Undersecretary Charles McQueary. “Our commitment to making a safer and more secure environment for our nation and our agricultural community is a top priority,” he said (U.S. Homeland Security Department release, June 6).
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