New sheep biosecurity standard a handy reference for producers

Thursday, April 4, 2013

by DIANNE FETTERLY

While many Canadian sheep producers have already implemented some form of biosecurity practices on their farms, the newly-released National Sheep On-farm Biosecurity Standard could be a useful reference guide.

According to Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency general manager Jennifer MacTavish, farmers are already doing a good job of keeping disease out of their flocks, but the new standard released by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency last week could work as an extra tool on the farm – a resource there to help if it is needed.

“The standard could be beneficial for farmers (because) it has linked good biosecurity practices with minimizing production-limiting diseases,” MacTavish said.

Developed over a two-year period by CFIA and the Canadian Sheep Federation, the biosecurity standard was created by an advisory group using input from researchers, veterinarians, the provinces and producers from across the country. In the initial stages, those developing the standard visited sheep farms across Canada and collected producers’ opinions.

After completion, the standard was also circulated to industry representatives before launch to ensure it would work for sheep farmers, MacTavish said.

She also noted that it is important for producers to know that the new standard is voluntary and for reference purposes only. Sheep farmers may find the reference manual useful to research specific diseases or practices for their farms. Diseases in question could come from various sources such as other animals or from people visiting the farm.

And the guidelines will not only help farmers prevent disease from entering their farm in the first place, but also from spreading within the flock or to neighboring farms, she added.

According to CFIA, the standard, announced March 28, is aimed at all sizes and types of sheep operations to help producers improve their herd health and to provide a plan outlining biosecurity practices to reduce disease outbreaks.

The on-farm biosecurity standard for sheep deals with four specific areas of management including, “animal health practices; farm facilities and equipment; proper record keeping; and people.” BF