Nursery Sector Biosecurity Guide
3.0 Nursery Operational Management

3.1 Nursery Location and Layout

Nursery Location and Layout^Footnote 4

Benefits: The landscape and properties surrounding a nursery are potential sources of pests. When choosing a location and designing the layout of a nursery, consideration of the surrounding area can help mitigate pest introduction and spread to a nursery. Knowledge of crop movement and work patterns may also be helpful in designing the layout of a nursery. A map that illustrates the surrounding areas and the location of high risk areas can help assess the pathways of pest transmission and identify the critical points where biosecurity measures may be applied. The ability to illustrate the layout of a nursery can also assist in training new employees, directing visitors and planning future production processes. Integrating this knowledge can provide a solid foundation for developing and implementing a biosecurity plan.

Considerations

Geography and environmental factors

• For plants that will be grown in open fields, conduct an assessment of the cropping history and previous use of newly acquired or leased land. This will provide knowledge of the potential sources of pests of concern, information on the potential build-up of chemical control products, as well as the range of pest control products and fertilizer used.
• Make risk management decisions for site selection based on neighbouring activities such as type of crop in production, timing of harvest, composting practices or the importation of produce, as these activities may be potential sources of pest introduction.
• Be knowledgeable of the regulated and non-regulated pests that occur in the area, including invasive plants. Knowing the pests that are present in the area will help assess the risks to a nursery and implementation of the correct biosecurity measures.
• Within surrounding properties, treatment or removal of plant species that are invasive or potential pest vectors or hosts may be required.
• Assess soil and container media characteristics for suitability to various nursery crops.
• Make use of topography to assist with drainage and reduction of standing water in production areas. Drainage patterns and surface water movement can affect pest introduction and spread. For example, pathogens that cause root rots and other pests can be spread in areas of poor drainage where standing water occurs.

Layout

• Develop a map of the nursery that illustrates indoor and outdoor activities. The map may include the soil types, crops, irrigation system, drainage, prevailing wind directions, composting areas, propagation areas, production areas, shipping area, receiving area, high risk areas and the flow of plant material.
• Production and propagation areas should be considered high-risk areas for pest introduction as the plants are more susceptible to pests than others. Designate separate areas for production and propagation.
• Locate designated receiving areas for inspection of inputs away from production areas. The receiving area should also allow for cleaning and treatment of the area, if necessary.
• Locate the segregation area, also referred to as an isolation or quarantine area, away from the production area(s). Temporarily store plants purchased from external sources in this area for inspection. Plants can be moved to the production area once it is determined they are not infested with pests of concern.
• Designate separate areas for shipping and receiving to reduce the risk of pest spread from inputs to finished product. If the shipping and receiving areas are the same, biosecurity measures such as separation by timing may be used so that inputs and finished product are not in the area at the same time.
• Locate designated areas for composting crop waste and for storing manure, growing media or compost away from propagation and production areas to prevent pest re-introduction and spread. Consider wind direction and surface drainage when locating composting areas to minimize the risk of re-introducing pests to production areas.
• Locate washing facilities for cleaning and disinfecting equipment and vehicles in an area that mitigates pest introduction and spread. Consider the capacity for water supply, waste water collection and disposal.
• Consider pathways of pest transmission when designing new structures and production areas. For example, install stainless steel benches that can be easily disinfected instead of wood.

Location and Layout Self-Assessment Checklist

3.2 Biosecurity Zones

Biosecurity Zones^Footnote 5

Benefits: Biosecurity zones are used to identify and control access to high risk areas of the nursery. Some nurseries use the terms Controlled and Restricted Access Zones to label biosecurity zones, while other nurseries use the term high-risk area. This Guide will use the term high-risk area. A high-risk area is an area that requires additional biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of pests either into or out of an area. An area can be identified as high risk if:

1. The area, such as a segregation area, is used for a high-risk activity such as monitoring plant material from external sources for pests or containing plants infested with a pest of concern.

   OR

2. The plants in an area are more susceptible than others to pests such as mother plants or propagative plant material.

The level of biosecurity measures applied will be consistent with the risk of pest introduction or spread associated with each zone or area. The common biosecurity measures used include separation from other production areas by a buffer zone or physical separation and signs to restrict access.

Considerations

• Access to high-risk areas is restricted to authorized personnel and is controlled by signs, locked gates or doors. Signs should be posted at entry points to advise people that the area is high risk and that access is restricted. Refer to Appendix 2 for examples of biosecurity signs.
• Plan the flow of work, people, vehicles and equipment through the nursery to minimize the risk of pest spread between crops. This flow will depend on the biosecurity risks present in each area of the nursery.
• Indicate high-risk areas and the flow of work, people, vehicles and equipment on the nursery map.
• Employee training programs should include the flow of work, people, vehicles and equipment in the nursery.
• Clean and disinfect equipment that is moved into or out of a high-risk area when necessary.
• Provide hand wash and footbath stations, as well as disposable or dedicated outerwear and footwear at entrances and exits of high-risk areas.

3.3 Movement of People, Vehicles and Equipment

Movement of People, Vehicles and Equipment^Footnote 6

Benefits: Pests can be moved into the nursery and between production areas by people, vehicles and equipment. Managing the movement of people, vehicles and equipment by designating routes, assessing risk, as well as implementing cleaning and disinfecting when necessary can help mitigate the risk of pest introduction and spread. For further information regarding cleaning and disinfecting, refer to section 3.4 Maintenance of Facilities and Property. It is important to assess the risk of the movement of people, vehicles and equipment to determine the appropriate biosecurity measures that may help mitigate pest risk.

Considerations

Movement of people

• Protocols are in place regarding the movement of employees between production areas. For example, movement into and out of high-risk areas is restricted.
• Employees have been given training regarding the movement protocols and required biosecurity measures. Refer to section 2.0 Education, Training and Communication for more information.
• Post signs at the main entrances and field entry points to advise visitors of the need for permission to access the nursery and to direct them to the appropriate sign-in area.
• Signs include contact information for nursery employees that are authorized to grant access to the nursery. Refer to Appendix 2 for examples of signs.
• Visitors report to the main office or have an employee meet them in a designated area to receive a briefing on the required biosecurity measures.
• Keep a visitors log to identify the date visited, the areas visited and the most recent contact with plant material prior to visiting the nursery. This information may be useful when responding to a pest detection. Please see Appendix 3 for an example of a visitors log.
• Visitors may have visited multiple nurseries or other agricultural facilities prior to arrival. Assess the risk of each visitor and implement the appropriate biosecurity measures such as disposable footwear covers.
• Visitors and employees only access areas that are necessary for their activities.

Movement of vehicles and equipment

• Employees should be trained to know the traffic flow of the nursery. Refer to section 2.0 Education, Training and Communication for more information.
• Visitors and employees park in designated areas.
• Prior to entry into the nursery, assess the risk of vehicles that have been at other nurseries or other agricultural facilities to determine the necessary biosecurity measures. This may include cleaning and disinfecting of the off-farm vehicle or transporting visitors in a designated nursery vehicle.
• Clean on-farm vehicles and sprayers when moved between production areas.

Movement of People, Vehicles and Equipment Self-Assessment Checklist

3.4 Maintenance of Facilities and Property

Maintenance of Facilities and Property^Footnote 7

Benefits: Cleaning and maintaining nursery property, buildings and equipment limits the opportunity for pest introduction and spread. Knowledge of pests and pathways of pest transmission can be used to determine the frequency of cleaning and maintenance activities. Depending on the pest, equipment may need to be cleaned between uses on individual trees or between production areas. This knowledge should be used to implement a sanitation program and a maintenance program.

Considerations

• Use a checklist to itemize the required sanitation and maintenance activities.

Maintenance Program

• Implement a routine maintenance program that includes preventive measures and procedures for interior and exterior activities such as the maintenance of structures and production areas.
• Schedule maintenance activities to ensure that each production area is revisited within an appropriate timeline.
• Control weeds and host material for pests of concern around the beds and growing areas. This can be accomplished through mechanical or chemical treatment of non-crop areas and physical barriers, such as gravel or plastic-covered areas.
• Minimize or eliminate areas where pests can enter enclosed production areas such as screenhouses, hoop houses or greenhouses by ensuring holes are fixed, doors close properly and windows can be closed.
• Maintain deer fencing, tree guards, and rodent traps and bait stations to prevent damage.
• Maintain and calibrate spray equipment to provide a uniform and accurate pesticide application.

Sanitation Program

• Implement a sanitation program for cleaning equipment, including the irrigation system.
• Attention should be given to cleaning propagation equipment.
• Clean container production areas between crops, including outdoor production beds, greenhouses and hoop houses.
• When a pest has been detected, specific cleaning protocols for buildings and equipment such as pruners, shears, moving and harvesting equipment may be required to prevent pest spread.
• Strategically sequence work flow to minimize cleaning of equipment.