Washington, D.C.-The Department of Homeland Security has formally approved the Asmark Institute’s Security Vulnerability Assessment (SVA) tool for use by ag retailers, according to the Agribusiness Security Working Group. “Ag retailers are aware of the ramifications for not properly addressing security measures at their chemical facilities. The Asmark Institute’s SVA tool is an invaluable resource that will ease and simplify the fulfillment of DHS’Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards,” said Jack Eberspacher, president and CEO of the Agricultural Retailers Association, which is a working group member along with The Fertilizer Institute and CropLife America. Development of Asmark’s SVA tool was initiated four years ago as a voluntary program to meet emerging federal security regulations. Asmark’s SVA meets the Center for Chemical Process Safety security vulnerability assessment design criteria, which is recognized as an acceptable methodology by DHS. Under new DHS regulations, all chemical facilities considered “high risk” are placed in one of four risk-based tiers, with Tier 1 containing the highest risk facilities and Tier 4 containing the lowest risk. Retailers designated as Tier 4 facilities that utilize the Asmark SVA program to assess chemical facility security “can do so with confidence that their assessment meets DHS security regulations and is based on sound risk assessment principles,” a working group statement said. Retailers who complete the plan will receive a security assessment, along with a list of recommended security measures. “DHS’ approval of the Asmark Institute’s SVA tool is indicative of the good work undertaken by those ag retailers who voluntarily stepped-up to proactively implement security measures at their facilities,” said Allen Summers, president, of Asmark Institute. The Asmark SVA tool is available through numerous state agribusiness associations.
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