Table 4 Overview of SET Biothreat Detection Module categories and indicators

Institutional organization

5

Existence of agro-terrorism and agro-crime committee; Existence of formal documents on the organization and operation of agro-terrorism and agro-crime surveillance; Existence of focal points and mechanisms for national and international collaboration between animal health, law enforcement and other relevant sectors; and Adequacy of resources for surveillance of agro-terrorism and agro-crime.

Laboratory

6

Mechanisms in place to meet laboratory epidemiologic and forensic needs; Existence of guidelines for sampling in joint epidemiologic and criminal investigations; Adequacy of resources and existence of laboratory information management system (LIMS) in laboratories involved in joint investigations; and Capacity of the country to differ endemic, foreign, emerging and potentially manipulated pathogens.

Surveillance activities

11

Existence and quality of a list of pathogens of concern for agro-terrorism and agro-crime; Knowledge of epidemiological situation of pathogens of concern; Existence of awareness campaigns on exotic and eradicated diseases; Existence and implementation of triggers and mechanisms for secure information sharing between veterinary services and law enforcement; Cross-border animal disease surveillance capacity; and Existence and quality of guidelines on joint epidemiological and criminal investigations.

Risk assessment

2

Implementation, quality and use of threat/risk assessments to guide agro-terrorism and agro-crime surveillance activities.

Workforce

5

Existence of staff planning, roster of investigators, background checks and trainings on detection, reporting and joint epidemiological and criminal investigations of potential agro-terrorism or agro-crime animal health events.

Data management

1

Existence and implementation of mechanisms to secure surveillance data and sensitive information from theft, loss or misuse.

Evaluation

2

Implementation and use of joint simulation exercises and after action reviews for improvement of agro-terrorism and agro-crime surveillance.