S. 2695 would authorize the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide for the defense of the nation’s agriculture and food system through the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, currently being constructed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Manhattan, Kansas. The biosafety level-4 laboratory is expected to be operational by 2023 and will replace the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York State.
Based on information from USDA and DHS, CBO expects that S. 2695 would build on current U.S. policies and practices, especially Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-9), released in January 2004, which established a national policy to defend the agriculture and food system against terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. Although S. 2695 would change some administrative processes, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would have no significant effect on spending.
