CropLife e-News

DHS Notices In Mail

Watch the mail for a notice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) -- you have 60 days to act.

DHS began sending out notification letters at the beginning of the month to chemical facilities that registered with the agency and completed their Web-based Top-Screen program, according to the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA).

Facilities that have been preliminarily determined as Tier 1, the highest risk level; will be the first to receive the notification letters and be required to complete a Security Vulnerability Assessment (SVA) within 60 days. All other chemical facilities that submitted a Top-Screen should receive a DHS notification letter by mid-to-late April.

Your facility must designate a person who is responsible for the submission of the information to DHS and attest to the accuracy of the' information submitted. ARA also notes that the extension for "agricultural operations" does not apply to retail outlets.

ARA recommends agricultural retailers and distributors who haven't done so yet register with DHS and complete the Top Screen if you possess a Chemical of Interest (COI) in the specified quantity and related security issue for that product.