With many worries of terrorism flooding Americans' minds every day, the people of MSU do not need to dwell on the phenomenon known as agri-terrorism. But we should feel comfort in knowing officials are thinking about the issue in case of an incident.

This homeland security collaboration, which brings the Agriculture Disaster Research Institute together with universities, discusses how to handle natural and intentional agricultural disasters.

The new institute is expected to be fully functioning within a month and will provide the groups with information on how to respond to and how to detect emerging disease problems that might affect the crops and livestock of MSU and other areas.

The institute also will aim to teach veterinary students and people in the agriculture industry how to deal with improving the national food supply security and preventing chemicals that might be both foreign and natural from affecting the food supply.

Although the agri-terrorism could affect the food supply in the United States, it is not likely. It could greatly affect the American population, but it is not something to be concerned about.

A main problem with chemicals and sickness in livestock and on natural crops is the close quarters where the plants grow and cattle live. This close proximity quickly becomes a breeding ground for disease causing a sickness, such as mad cow disease, to spread quickly.

It's good to know there's a plan in case of massive disease and chemicals spreading in America's food supply, but there is really nothing we can do until the time comes. Because these disasters can happen naturally or through chemicals, there is no way to predict when the plight will strike.

One thing is for sure: If the diseases do spread to the cattle in the United States, beef is definitely not what's for dinner.