Farmers Urged to Review New Department of Homeland Security Chemical Guidelines
To: STATE EDITORS
Contact: Kristi L. Rooker of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, +1-717-787-5085
HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Farmers and agribusinesses should review chemical guidelines and determine whether they will be affected by a new U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulation, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today.
In an effort to increase the security of high-risk chemical facilities, the Department of Homeland Security recently released a list of chemicals that, if possessed by a facility in a specified quantity, would require them to complete a Chemical Security Anti- Terrorism Top-Screen assessment. Those required to go through this initial screening must do so before Jan. 21.
Failure to comply with the regulations could result in civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day or the shut down of the facility.
Pennsylvania farmers and agribusinesses storing fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals might be affected by these new regulations, so it is important that they quickly determine if they meet the new federal requirements, said Wolff. I urge all producers and businesses to review the requirements and contact the U.S. Department of Homeland Security if they have any questions.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is seeking further information regarding the new federal chemical regulations, but wanted to inform farmers that they may be affected.
Information is available on the departments Web site at http:// www.agriculture.state.pa.usunder Whats New.
Chemicals of interest and quantities that are most likely to affect agriculture include, but are not limited to:
— Chlorine – 2,500 pounds (bulk, not bagged or in some other
transportation package)
— Chlorine – 500 pounds (bagged, on a trailer, or in some other
transportation package)
— Anhydrous ammonia – 10,000 pounds (4 typical pull behind tanks,
completely loaded)
— Ammonium nitrate – 2,000 pounds (bagged, on a trailer, or in some
other transportation package)
— Potassium nitrate – 400 pounds (bagged, on a trailer, or in some
other transportation package)
— Sodium nitrate – 400 pounds (bagged, on a trailer, or in some other
transportation package)
For more information on the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, or to view the chemicals of interest list, visit http://www.dhs.gov/chemicalsecurity. For questions when completing the top screen, call the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards help desk at 866-323-2957.
CONTACT:Kristi L. Rooker
(717) 787-5085
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
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