National Cervid Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard
Chapter 3: Overview and use of the biosecurity standard

3.1 How to use the biosecurity standard:

This document provides guidelines and recommendations that may be implemented. The complex and variable nature of the cervid industry, regional differences, and other factors prevent the development of one set of specific guidelines and recommendations that are optimal for all cervid species and production systems.

A Producer Planning Guide accompanies the National Standard. This Guide identifies additional details and biosecurity intervention measures for producers to consider as they work to implement the National Standard on their farms. The National Standard and the Producer Planning Guide work together to provide an integrated framework for use by cervid producers.

3.2 Overview of the structure of the biosecurity standard:

The National Standard consists of four sections, each relating to an on-farm biosecurity Principle.

• Management of farm, facilities and equipment
• Animal health management practices
• Management of people
• Written protocols and record-keeping

A general goal has been identified for each biosecurity principle. To support meeting the goals, target outcomes, organized by similar activities (strategies) have been developed to provide overall direction for reducing disease risks. The target outcome approach provides the flexibility for producers to design biosecurity plans that will work on their farms. Best practices for each target outcome provide practical guidance on how producers may achieve the desired result.