National Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard for the Goat Industry

Executive Summary

Canada’s goat producers recognize the need for sound on-farm biosecurity practices to manage disease risks in order to protect the health of their herd and operation and, by extension, the national herd and the industry.

The National Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard for the Goat Industry describes practical and effective on‑farm biosecurity practices which can reduce the risk of disease, when properly applied and followed, and which are of a low cost to the producer to implement. Developed over two years, in consultation with goat producers, industry and government, the Standard is designed specifically for the Canadian goat industry and is applicable to farm-level operations of all types and sizes. Its focus is on practices and procedures that reduce the risk and impact of disease in goat operations.

The Standard is built on six key areas of concern relating to on-farm risk reduction:

1. sourcing and introducing animals;
2. animal health;
3. facility management and access controls;
4. movement of people vehicles and equipment;
5. monitoring and record keeping; and
6. communications and training

Under each key area of concern are more detailed descriptions of biosecurity target outcomes. In addition, the accompanying Biosecurity Planning Guide for Canadian Goat Producers provides additional information to assist producers in preparing biosecurity plans specific to their own farming operation.

The general practices and guidelines of the Standard are voluntary. Adherence to the principles set forth in this Standard can control and reduce the risk and impacts of endemic diseases and of an emerging disease or foreign animal disease (FAD) in the Canadian herd. Managing risk is something goat producers do every day. The Standard is a tool that provides broad guidelines for disease risk management that are practical and science-based, and specific to the goat industry.

---

The complete text of this report is available upon request.

*Mandatory

Please select the format in which you would like to receive the report:

Portable Document Format electronic file sent to you by email
Rich Text Format electronic file sent to you by email
Braille copy sent to you by mail
Paper copy sent to you by mail

Your contact information:

*First Name:    

*Last Name:    

*Email Address:    

Address 1:    

Address 2:    

City:     

Province:    

Country:    

Postal Code: