Farm Bio-security Plans.... a new requirement for livestock producers

From October 2017, all Australian red meat producers are required to have a Farm Biosecurity Plan in place and implement best-practice biosecurity practices as a requirement of the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program.

What does this mean for contractors?

The LPA program is the Australian livestock industry’s on-farm assurance program covering food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity. It provides evidence of livestock history and on-farm practices when transferring livestock through the value chain.

Diseases, pests and weeds can enter a farm and be spread by equipment and vehicles, either directly or in plant material, soil or manure. It is important to maintain equipment hygiene and ensure all vehicles that visit a property are clean and well maintained.

Your clients may now ask more from you when working on their property, this may include

Notification that you are entering the property.  As a producer, knowing who has entered your property allows possible sources of diseases, pests or weeds to be tracked.

Limited access points to a property.  Limiting the number of vehicle access points to the property will limit the potential disease, pest and weed entry sites and allow monitoring of these areas closely.

Clean vehicles and drivers.  It may be requested that your vehicles are clean before entering a job site, in some cases an owner may also require clean down of boots and clothing.  Vehicle tyres, undercarriages, grills, floors and trays can carry diseases, pests and weeds in soil, plant material and manure so good vehicle and personal hygiene is essential

For more info on vehicle hygiene – click here

For more information on the LPA requirements – click here