Recommended Options and Approaches for Developing National Service Sector Biosecurity Standards Under The Growing Forward 2 Framework

Recommended Options and Approaches for Developing National Service Sector Biosecurity Standards Under The Growing Forward 2 Framework

In consultation with key stakeholders, including representatives from commodities with existing National Farm-Level Biosecurity Standards (NBS) and respective service sector providers, analyze and develop recommended options and approaches for developing a minimum of three National Service Sector Biosecurity Standards (NSSBS) within the constraints of the MOU.

The purpose of the National Service Sector Biosecurity Standard is to provide a framework for plant pest and animal disease risk mitigation measures (biosecurity guidelines and best practices) that can be adopted by service sector personnel within their company’s broader biosecurity protocols, and in collaboration with producers, to limit the opportunity for the transmission of infectious pathogens and pests at the farm-level. The NSSBS will be developed collaboratively with industry, will be voluntary and outcome-based and will provide clear, auditable outcomes while maintaining flexibility in the methods industry uses to achieve the desirable outcomes. The standards must account for (but not be limited by) regional differences in production practices, geography and industry demographics, and be supported by industry to ensure strong uptake and consistent implementation across Canada.

Currently, there is only one NSSBS, which is the Poultry Service Industry Biosecurity Guide. This NSSBS is commodity-specific. Under GF2, an approach must be developed to determine if the NSSBS should be commodity-specific (and if so, which commodities should be prioritized) or whether alternative approaches to develop NSSBS may be more appropriate and provide efficiencies for development and implementation because of commonalities across sectors.

The recommendations for NSSBS development should include a prioritized list of options and approaches. Considerations for prioritization may include: • Impact (size and scope) of the commodity (e.g. beef/potato) or production category (plant/animal) to the economy; • Importance of, and biosecurity risk posed by the service sector to the commodity/production category • Readiness and willingness of industry service sector to pursue standard development. • Advantages and disadvantages of the approach.

Considerations for an approach may include: • Commodity specific – e.g. specific to beef or potato. • Generic based on production category – a generic Animal and a generic Plant Service Sector Standard, a dual production standard (i.e. both livestock and crops etc.) • Specific to the activity that occurs – transport, cleaning crews, custom equipment, building maintenance, etc. • Alternate delivery options

The NBS developed under GF contained a Standard (the what, outcomes-based) and a Producer Guide (the how – guideline for producers and methods to assist in meeting the outcomes). The existing Avian Service Sector Standard combined the information into one document. Guidance as to which of these formats will be best received by industry will be provided.