If there were, says Ms Smithson, more effort and urgency might go into biosafety and biosecurity.

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Ms Lucas argued instead for a vaccination programme for badgers and cattle, along with improved testing and biosecurity.

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The US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity asked academic journals not to publish key parts of the findings.

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But it is being held up by a review being undertaken by the US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB).

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After the anthrax attacks of 2001, America created the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) to advise the health department.

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Meanwhile, a report on strengthening biosecurity at UK borders was unveiled at the show by a task force convened by Environment Secretary Owen Patterson.

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In June Biosecurity New Zealand, the government agency charged with protecting the country's crops from such threats, announced that this new bacterium had also been detected in potato crops.

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However, this discovery reinforces the Scottish government's message that farmers should maintain good biosecurity, source stock sensibly and seek veterinary advice if they have concerns about the health of their stock.

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The American restrictions have since been eased, following a change of heart by the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB), which advises the government on research financed from the federal kitty.

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About a quarter of the physicians have expressed deep concern about potential misuse of consumer AtroPen at several focus groups run by Michael Allswede , senior associate at University of Pittsburgh's Center for Biosecurity.

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"We declared a pause to this important research to provide time to explain the public-health benefits of this work, to describe the measures in place to minimize possible risks, and to enable organizations and governments around the world to review their policies (for example on biosafety, biosecurity, oversight, and communication) regarding these experiments, " the letter states.

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