Governor lobbies for more federal attention to farmland security

Iowa’s Governor is lobbying for more federal attention to the issue of farmland security. Governor Tom Vilsack’s in Indianapolis at the National Governors’ Association meeting. Vilsack says he hopes Midwest Governors help put “agroterrorism on the homeland security map.” Vilsack says Midwestern states must bring this to the attention of the nation to ensure there are adequate safeguards to protect the nation’s food supply. He says protecting American agriculture is critical to the Midwestern economy, too. Homeland Security director Tom Ridge will meet with Vilsack and the rest of the nation’s governors this afternoon. Vilsack says he’s had briefings from federal and state officials and been reassured there’s no serious threat in Iowa from terror networks, but he says that could change and officials must be vigilant.