OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 1, 2013) - Grains and oilseeds growers have a new tool to help protect crops, following the release of a national biosecurity standard today.
"Managing on-farm risk is an important part of staying competitive in today's market," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "This standard offers grains and oilseeds producers a distinct advantage in the fight against pests and diseases on the farm."
"There is a lot of useful information within this standard for producers," said Richard Phillips Executive Director of the Grain Growers of Canada. "While some pieces of this may already be common practice, I think many producers will pick up some new tips as well to help prevent the spread of pests."
The National Standard is a tool designed to help producers minimize and control the risk of pests and disease entering their farms, spreading within the farm or to neighbouring farms. It is applicable to farm-level operations of all types and sizes.
The standard is divided into four sections:
- Entry of pests to the farm
- Movement of pests within the farm
- Exit of pests from the farm
- Management process
The National Voluntary Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard for the Grains and Oilseeds Industry was developed over two years through a partnership between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Canada Grains Council along with other stakeholders including:
- Grain Growers of Canada
- Canadian Grains Commission
- Canadian Canola Growers Association
- provincial governments
Funding was provided by the Growing Forward policy initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
For a copy of the Standard or to learn more about biosecurity visit the CFIA's website at www.inspection.gc.ca/plantbiosecurity.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
What is the Standard?
The standard is a voluntary tool that producers can use to build and/or improve existing farm-level biosecurity programs.
What does the Standard consist of?
Canadian producers have a long-standing tradition of practicing biosecurity on their farms. The standard offers goals, objectives and measurable targets for all producers from small-scale to large-scale establishments.
What is farm-level biosecurity?
Farm-level biosecurity is a series of best management practices designed to help prevent, and or control the introduction and spread of pests and disease.