‘Agroterrorism’ fungus could harm US crops, livestock: Scientist

(NewsNation) — An alleged plot by two Chinese researchers to smuggle a crop-destroying fungus into the United States could have wide-ranging implications for America’s agriculture industry, according to an expert on homeland security and weapons of mass destruction.

Federal authorities say Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu conspired to bring Fusarium graminearum into the U.S. last year. Liu allegedly had baggies of the fungus when he flew to the U.S. and told officials he hoped to use it for research at a University of Michigan lab where Jian worked and where Liu previously worked.

Fusarium graminearum has been characterized as a "potential agroterrorism weapon," according to the FBI.

“Had this gotten out into the wild, even by accident, the devastation it could have to our livestock and cro