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The security of our nation’s chemical, food processing and storage facilities has been subject to increased attention in recent years by the Federal government, media and general public. Pesticides and fertilizers, while important to farmers and agricultural businesses, can also be used as agents for manufacturing illegal drugs such as methamphetamine. Some chemicals can even be used to develop explosive devises, making these sites a potential target for foreign and domestic terrorists.
Though the threat of terrorist activities has brought the national spotlight on agribusiness security, a more common threat affecting communities, large and small, is the theft of agricultural chemicals for the production of dangerous illicit drugs.
Methamphetamine use is a growing problem in Kentucky and other rural regions of the country, contributing to a steady rise in rural crime. Many independent farms and co-ops are fighting a constant battle to prevent late night thefts from culprits tapping anhydrous tanks. Fertilizer is often stolen from large tanks in fields and at farm supply stores using homemade tapping mechanisms and a variety of other containers.
While most agricultural businesses and chemical producers are making the security of fertilizers and chemicals a top priority, many do not have the available funds to do everything that may be necessary.
Through my position on the House Ways and Means Committee, I saw an opportunity to introduce legislation to provide a security investment tax credit to help small and medium-sized agricultural business owners defray the high cost of enhancing on-site security.
The legislation that I have introduced, The Agricultural Business Security Tax Credit Act (H.R. 1814) would provide a 30 percent tax credit, up to $100,000 per facility, to any agricultural business that implements a qualified security measure. These include: Security vulnerability assessments and site security plans; Employee background checks and training programs; Purchases of tagging, locking tank valves or chemical additives to prevent theft; and the installation of perimeter fences or security lighting around critical sensitive areas or the entire facility.
I believe the incentives offered in The Agricultural Business Security Tax Credit Act will promote improved security at agricultural facilities that handle chemicals and fertilizers, encouraging agribusinesses to more easily take proactive steps to better protect the U.S. agriculture industry and the American public from potential threats.
We can only achieve our shared security goals with the appropriate resources and technology to face new and evolving challenges. In this effort, we must empower agricultural businesses to do their part to address their unique security concerns. I look forward to working with representatives from the agricultural industry, the security industry, and other engaged groups to advance this important measure in the 110th Congress.
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