Farm Biosecurity

Farm Biosecurity

Biosecurity refers to the various measures that are taken up to stop introduction or manage an outbreak of harmful organisms or disease to plants, animals and human life. It can be implemented on the offshore and on the farm. Even by implementing the recommended measures in your day to day life, one can improve his or her biosecurity.

On the other side, farm biosecurity is the special branch of biosecurity which refers to the measures taken to avoid any possible introduction or outbreak of harmful disease to farm animals. It helps farm owners to avoid heavy economic losses. The following biosecurity measures should be followed to avoid or manage such conditions.

1. Restricted Access
The livestock farm should be secured by fences or walls cutting it off from the rest of the world to avoid any unwanted or unauthorized entry of potentially infected animal or human being.

2. Provision of Cleansing at Entry or Exit Points
A footbath of disinfectants (solution of either phenol, slaked lime or copper sulphate) should be maintained at entry or exit points to prevent the spread of pathogens.

3. Use Personal Protective Equipments
One should wear apron, gloves, mask, head mask and gumboots for their own safety while handling the animals. They should often wash their hands with soap or sanitizer.

4. Cleanliness
The farm owners should maintain cleanliness in their farms. To achieve maximum cleanliness, one should do the operations like periodically cleaning and disinfecting the farm animals, scrubbing or dry scrubbing the area, disinfecting the farm, cleaning the farm tools, feed tubs and other equipment on regular basis, and proper management of waste. In case of an outbreak, the farm should be fumigated with formalin and potassium permanganate solution in the ratio of 2:1.

Source: NCERT