Security agencies in Canada and the United States are taking a closer
look at how fertilizers and chemicals are transported throughout North
America in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in Washington
D.C. and New York City.
“Explosives and fertilizer are not synonymous, but there have been
unfortunate links,” said Chris Watson of Natural Resources Canada, the
federal department that oversees explosives within its science and
technology division.
“We can’t prevent terrorism but we can make it more difficult for
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terrorists to obtain explosives,” Watson told a Canadian Fertilizer
Institute meeting in Calgary March 12.
Since Sept. 11, security agencies have been evaluating security
procedures for manufactured explosives in Canada and the U.S.
They are also scrutinizing the transportation of commonly used farm
fertilizers and chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide and acetone,
substances that can be used by terrorists to develop explosives.
One security issue that could be problematic is monitoring the sales of
bagged fertilizer, particularly ammonium nitrate, which is available at
any home garden centre.
Bulk sales of ammonium nitrate are already monitored, but it is almost
impossible to control sales of bagged fertilizer from a store.
Ammonium nitrate was used in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.
Ford West of the Fertilizer Institute based in Washington, D.C., said
events following the Oklahoma City bombing made people more aware of
security gaps. The events of Sept. 11 heightened the awareness when
many people realized how easily terrorists could move around the
country with relatively simple weapons.
A major education program has been initiated for members of the
Fertilizer Institute warning dealers to know their customers and report
suspicious activity.
Agencies including the FBI have proposed security checks of personnel
as well as learning who handles fertilizer, who sells it, who trucks it
and how security can be improved at retail areas selling bagged
fertilizers.
Efforts are also enhancing trucker security to ensure no hijackings
occur.
Some states are looking at removing bagged fertilizer from department
stores or requiring identification when it is sold.
Research is trying to develop an additive for anhydrous ammonia to
prevent the use of the fertilizer for drug manufacture.
The Canadian explosives industry recognizes it needs better
documentation of inventory and labelling of items.
Moving manufactured explosives across borders also requires a better
tracking system in both countries so companies know where truckers are
and whether deliveries have been made as expected.
Transportation may be the weakest link for this industry. Current
regulations allow one driver per truck with reliable communications.
The industry is also looking at better locks, switches and seals for
trucks.
It may be necessary to do security checks on those handling explosives
and require acquisition permits. Quebec has had such rules in place
since 1970 when it faced the FLQ crisis.
Watson said his agency would prefer to harmonize personnel identity and
background checks with organizations like the RCMP or Canada Customs.
