Biosecurity

Biosecurity

Biosecurity relates to preventive measures designed to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases, invasive pests or weeds.

Good biosecurity practices prevent the spread of infectious disease and invasive pests or weeds between farms as well as protecting Australia from diseases and weeds that occur overseas. Biosecurity procedures address the containment of disease outbreaks when they occur. 

How do producers meet this LPA requirement?

Updates to the LPA website now allow farm biosecurity plans to be completed entirely online rather than on a printed template.

Access ISC’s detailed step-by-step guide to creating and uploading documents to your LPA account to learn how to complete your digital farm biosecurity plan.

Guide to creating or uploading documents to your LPA account

 

As a livestock producer, you must implement on-farm biosecurity systems to minimise the risk of infectious diseases being introduced to livestock production properties and the subsequent spread of any such diseases, and this includes:

  • Have a formal, documented Farm Biosecurity Plan for each Property Identification Code (PIC)
  • Ensure all livestock movements onto the PIC have a known health status (e.g. Livestock Health Statement/Declaration or equivalent)
  • Inspect all introduced livestock for signs of ill health or disease on arrival and keep in isolation for a minimum period of time
  • Regularly inspect livestock for ill health and disease and undertake appropriate action where necessary
  • Minimise the risk of livestock straying onto or from the property
  • Keep records of livestock movements, as well as vehicle and visitor movements where reasonable and practical.
  • Implement other procedures or practices that contribute to minimising the risk or spread of disease.

Ensuring your livestock are, and remain, free from serious infectious diseases allows you to maximise farm productivity and minimise animal discomfort, stock losses and medical costs. 

Biosecurity practices will be reviewed during an LPA audit. Producers must have a documented biosecurity plan available if selected for an LPA audit. Biosecurity practices will also be reviewed as part of the LPA accreditation assessment process.

What is a Farm Biosecurity Plan? 

To meet the requirements of LPA, each Property Identification Code (PIC) must have a formal, documented Farm Biosecurity Plan that addresses each of the following:

  1. Manage and record the introduction and movement of livestock in a way that minimises the risk of introducing and/or spreading infectious diseases.
  2. Where reasonable and practical, control people, equipment and vehicles entering the property, thus minimising the potential for property contamination and, if possible, keep a record of such movements.
  3. Prevent and control animal diseases on-farm by regularly monitoring and management livestock.

When did biosecurity become part of LPA? 

Biosecurity was included in the LPA program on 1 October 2017. Every LPA-accredited producer must ensure biosecurity requirements are fulfilled both on farm and during the transport of livestock between properties and feedlots, including slaughter and live export.

Integrating biosecurity requirements into LPA strengthens the promise made to our customers, protects our industry and environment, and streamlines the process of record-keeping and reporting for livestock producers.

More Information

Biosecurity video

Biosecurity video

Watch this video to understand how to meet the biosecurity requirements of LPA on-farm and during the transport of livestock

Watch video

Tools & Resources

Biosecurity factsheet and checklist
Biosecurity plan template
LPA property visitor register template

FAQs

What records do producers need to keep to meet biosecurity requirements?

Producers are required to develop a Farm Biosecurity Plan.

How do the LPA and Johne’s disease requirements fit together?

Producers who have developed a Farm Biosecurity Plan as part of their approach to Johne’s disease management, do not need to complete another Plan under the LPA program requirements.

How do I manage my biosecurity risk after flooding?

Biosecurity risks during and after floods can include the spread of pests and diseases.

LPA accredited producers should review and update their biosecurity plans to include risks associated with flooding. All introduced feed should be recorded, and records of what livestock have been fed introduced stock feed should be kept.

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