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Followup Report on the Security of Biological Agents at U.S. Department of Agriculture Laboratories

Report Information

Date Issued
Report Number:
50601-0010-AT
Report Type
Audit
Joint Report
Yes
Participating OIG
Department of Agriculture OIG
Agency Wide
Yes (agency-wide)
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0
View report on Oversight.gov

Recommendations

APHIS needs to verify that all HHS and USDA listed agents and toxins have been removed from the strip mall facility and report back to the Office of Inspector General (OIG).

Agencies need to provide more specific guidance to BSL-3 laboratories on how to interpret and enforce the biosecurity measures listed in the BSL-3 manual. For example: • Site-specific guidance for inventory recordkeeping. • The type and frequency of internal reviews to be conducted and by whom. • Site-specific guidance for cybersecurity issues.

Update the BSL-3 manual to include requirements in regulations published subsequent to the manual's issuance.

Expedite the implementation of the policies and procedures for non-BSL-3 laboratories.