Biosecurity Guidance - for officials of The Scottish Executive
The Below guidance is aimed at officials of The Scottish Executive who visit farm premises in the absence of an outbreak of a notifiable animal and/or plant disease.
1. The purpose of this guidance is to highlight the biosecurity precautions you should follow when undertaking farm inspections. These precautions are designed to prevent potentially harmful biological agents (animal, horticultural or zoonotic (implications for human health) from entering or leaving a property.
2. It is essential that no transmission of disease can be attributed to careless behaviour on the part of staff involved in farm inspections. Every official must carry out effective biosecurity measures. It is important to minimise the risk of disease spread and to set a good example to the industry.
General Guidelines
3. In the majority of cases, contact will be made with the farmer or person in charge before the inspection takes place. The opportunity should be taken to establish what washing facilities are available and also what, if any, Separation Areas exist. In some instances it may be necessary for you to carry a full disinfecting kit. This comprises an approved disinfectant, bucket, brush, eye goggles, facemask (where appropriate), impervious gloves, waste disposal bags and a reasonable sized container filled with water in case there is none available on the farm.
4. When planning an unannounced visit the Inspector should check with the local Area Office to see if a Separation Agreement is in place for the location to be inspected. Approved Separation Agreements will include a detailed plan showing where the Separation Areas are located.
5. If Separation Areas are in place, these areas should be avoided. If it is necessary to pass through such areas then cleaning and subsequent disinfection of soiled boots and clothing must be carried out before moving from one area to another.
6. If you do come into contact with livestock or faecal material, you must thoroughly clean and then disinfect footwear, leggings etc. on entry to and on leaving the premises.
7. Inspectors who live on a farm must ensure that they are wearing clean clothes and footwear when leaving the premises to carry out inspections. Vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected.
8. As routine, vehicles should be kept clean (inside and outside) to reduce the risk of spreading any disease when travelling to and from premises. They should be parked on hard standing away from livestock and should not be driven through fields which have or have recently had stock in them.
Disinfecting Procedure for Farm Inspections
9. Important : to be effective at killing disease, disinfectant should be applied to a clean surface. Ensure surfaces to be disinfected are clear of mud, faeces and other organic matter by washing in a water bath or hosing down before applying disinfectant.
10. Place the boot/sole or equipment to be cleaned in the disinfectant solution and use a hand held brush to clear away material. Brush away from the face/eyes. If this is unavoidable, you must wear suitable eye protection. Avoid contact with the skin.
11. The disinfectant solution should then be rinsed off with clean water before drying occurs. The solution may over time damage natural fabrics such as leather so care must be taken to rinse off any excess solution straight away.
12. If your vehicle comes into contact with livestock, it should be thoroughly cleaned and then disinfected (do not forget wheel arches) removing contamination of excreta, slurry or similar material before leaving the farm.
13. If waterproof clothing has been used previously, it must be cleaned and disinfected before entering the farm and before leaving the farm. All other protective clothing must not be used again until it has been laundered. Disposable boiler suits can either be left on the premises with the owner's agreement or bagged and suitably disposed of on return to the office.
14. All equipment used must be clean on entry and again on departure. All equipment used must be clean on entry and again on departure. Great care must be taken when cleaning electrical apparatus or tools. Where possible equipment should be protected from contamination e.g. using plastic bags. Health and Safety rules must be observed.
15. You should always check the Health and Safety precautions pertaining to any disinfectants used and abide by them. You should always check the Health and Safety precautions pertaining to any disinfectants used and abide by them.
16. Dispose of disinfectant carefully. Dilute with water or slurry and spread thinly on land well away from watercourses or water supplies.
Farm Type
17. There are many factors that determine the biosecurity risks associated with a farm visit and a common sense approach is required. There are many factors that determine the biosecurity risks associated with a farm visit and a common sense approach is required.
18. Protective clothing must be worn on all farm visits that will include entering areas where livestock are present or to which they normally have access. The type of protective clothing required will depend on the nature of the visit, e.g. the protection required for a visit to a dairy herd would differ from that required for a visit to an extensive unit on moorland. Protective clothing must be worn on all farm visits that will include entering areas where livestock are present or to which they normally have access. The type of protective clothing required will depend on the nature of the visit, e.g. the protection required for a visit to a dairy herd would differ from that required for a visit to an extensive unit on moorland.
19. Disposable boiler type suits can be used for visits providing that they are robust enough for the intended purpose of the visit. Disposable clothing must be used only once and must not be re-used. Disposable boiler type suits can be used for visits providing that they are robust enough for the intended purpose of the visit. Disposable clothing must be used only once and must not be re-used.
20. Waterproof protective clothing and footwear should be worn if the visit will involve the handling of livestock and when entering areas in close proximity to livestock. Waterproof protective clothing and footwear should be worn if the visit will involve the handling of livestock and when entering areas in close proximity to livestock. Footwear must be thoroughly cleaned and then disinfected before entering and leaving the farm.
21. Officials should be aware that some commercial poultry and pig units may have particularly stringent biosecurity requirements This is an industry rather than statutory requirement. The owner may require freedom from contact with the species for up to 5 days before the proposed work commences. Showering in and out and using protective clothing provided is not uncommon.
22. Records of all visits should be kept at all times.
23. The direct transmission of infectious plant diseases is the obvious risk associated with crop inspections. The direct transmission of infectious plant diseases is the obvious risk associated with crop inspections. Inspectors should therefore ensure that leggings, wellingtons and equipment are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between farms. Where transmittable diseases are found in a particular crop, inspectors should clean and disinfect before entering the next crop. Inspectors should wear footwear that will allow cleaning and disinfection.
24. Inspectors should also be aware of the possibility of spreading livestock diseases. Again a common sense approach is required. Inspectors should also be aware of the possibility of spreading livestock diseases. Again a common sense approach is required. Wherever possible avoid fields with livestock or where manure/slurry has been recently spread.
Single Farm Payment/Agri-environment inspections
25. Inspectors should wear footwear such as wellington boots or which will allow cleaning and disinfection (e.g. sturdy walking boots). Inspectors should wear footwear such as wellington boots or which will allow cleaning and disinfection (e.g. sturdy walking boots). Footwear must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between farms.
26. Inspectors should always be aware of the possibility of spreading livestock diseases. Again a common sense approach is required. Avoid fields with livestock or where manure/slurry has been recently spread, whenever possible. nspectors should always be aware of the possibility of spreading livestock diseases. Again a common sense approach is required. Avoid fields with livestock or where manure/slurry has been recently spread, whenever possible.
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