Six essentials for a farm biosecurity plan

Growers who implement on-farm biosecurity measures play a key role in protecting Australia’s $85 billion agricultural industry from pests and diseases.

Effective biosecurity practices keep Australia free from many of the exotic pests and diseases that affect plant industries overseas, providing domestic and international trade benefits.

On-farm biosecurity practices are one of the best defences against a pest or disease outbreak and a good farm biosecurity plan can help keep risks low by identifying everyday biosecurity practices that will help protect your farm.

“A farm biosecurity plan is a practical tool for farmers to prevent, eliminate and minimise on-farm biosecurity risks,” said Stuart Kearns, Plant Health Australia’s (PHA) National Manager, Preparedness and RD&E.

“Being prepared minimises the impact and helps maintain business continuity in the event of a pest or disease outbreak,” he said.

A good starting point when preparing a farm biosecurity plan, is to consider six biosecurity essentials:

1. Farm inputs 
   Monitor animals or plant materials that enter the property, including sources of water, feed and fertiliser.
2. Farm outputs
   The responsibility for biosecurity does not end at the farm gate. Measures put in place on a property do not end when plant products leave the farm gate. The measures in place on your property support biosecurity in your region.
3. People, vehicles and equipment
   Manage the movement of visitors, vehicles and equipment to prevent pests and diseases that are unintentionally carried on to the property.
4. Production practices
   Good on-farm hygiene reduces the risk of spreading pests and diseases. Implement simple hygiene practices for feed and water, product packaging, storage facilities, livestock husbandry, waste materials and plant propagation activities.
5. Ferals and weeds
   Both feral animals and weeds can pose risks to crops and livestock. It is important to monitor and manage these widespread risks.
6. Train, plan and record
   Train staff, ensure that you can trace where plants and animals have come from and where they go, and keep records of purchases, sales and movements.

“Decontamination procedures, wash down points, records of visitors to the property, and a record of materials and farming machinery that have been brought on to a property, is key information to be included in a farm biosecurity plan,” said Mr Kearns.

Biosecurity zones or check points should be identified as part of the plan with biosecurity signs at entrances to the property, parking areas near the house or site office, where deliveries are picked-up or dropped-off in relation to storage facilities, vehicle wash down areas, existing roads or tracks for movement within the property.

Biosecurity is a shared responsibility. Discuss your farm biosecurity practices and concerns with neighbouring properties and work together to create solutions for common concerns.

The Farm Biosecurity Program, a joint initiative between PHA and Animal Health Australia (AHA), has developed a Farm Biosecurity Action Planner to assist in implementing on-farm biosecurity. For more useful farm biosecurity tools, visit the Farm Biosecurity website.

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