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Producer Guide to the National Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard for Potato Growers
A Guide to Developing Your Farm Biosecurity Plan

Appendix A: Farm Biosecurity Planning Tool

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The Reference/Notes column may be used to cite an existing document (e.g. detailed maps) found in the Farmstead Section of your Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). The grower can also use this section to refer to procedures that are found in existing programs.

Appendix A: Farm Biosecurity Planning Tool
Current Situation
Yes or No
Opportunity for Enhancement Reference Notes
1. Farm Property Management
1.1 Farm facility location and layout
Detailed maps are available that identify farm facilities and geographical considerations. For example, buildings, production areas, designated receiving areas, inspection and cleaning area, storage facilities, roads, borders, fences, designated parking for visitors and farmpersonnel, natural drainage patterns, water courses, drain tile, and topographical details.
Maps of newly acquired or leased land are available.
1.2 Construction
New facilities are designed with consideration to minimizing the potential for introduction and spread of pests. Facilities are built with materials that can easily be cleaned and disinfected.
2. Farm Operational Management
2.1 Establishing Biosecurity Zones
RAZs and CAZs are established and managed, based on assessed risk and production type (seed, table, processing) or a combination of production types.
Clearly visible signage that identifies access points for restricted and control areas. Signage should provide contact numbers of farm personnel.
The history of and previous used newly acquired or leased land are assessed prior to bringing land into production.
2.2 People, communication and training
The plan includes considerations for visitors, service providers, and farm personnel.
A logbook is maintained for visitors and service providers.
Service providers are made aware of farm-specific biosecurity protocols, and are asked to comply with the protocols prior to providing service on the farm.
Trained farm personnel escort visitors to ensure they comply with the biosecurity protocols when in biosecure areas.
There is a farm personnel biosecurity training program (written, implemented, and regularly updated).
2.3 Movement of Vehicles and Equipment
The risk associated with the movement of vehicles and equipment is assessed, including the consideration of previous use, previous location of used, location of used within the farm anddestinations upon leaving the farm.
Based on the risk determined by the assessment, vehicles and equipment are cleaned to remove soil, organic matter, crop waste, and weeds prior to entry to the farm and/or leaving the farm.
2.4 Waste (water, plant, and soil)
Waste water and sediment that result from washing and/or fluming is not re-used on agricultural land unless treated.
The biosecurity plan includes handling, transportation, storage, treatment, and disposal of plant and soil waste (culls, cuttings, rogued plants, and tare soil).
3. Plant Health Management
3.1 Prevention Management Practices
Designated farm personnel or crop scouts are trained to recognize and report weeds, insects, and diseases, including emerging pests.
Only certified seed potatoes are planted on the farm, post-harvest test results are considered and provincial potato-planting regulations respected.
Seed for rotation crops are certified and/or cleaned for weed seeds and soil.
A crop rotation plan that considers disease, insect, and alternate host lifecycles is in place and followed.
Crop and pest management records are maintained for each field.
Manure, compost, or other soil amendments are sourced and managed to minimize the introduction of pests.
3.2 Surveillance
Surveillance activities are described, implemented, and recorded.
3.3 Pest Response Plan
A Plan has been established to respond to suspected and/or confirmed detection of any quarantine pest.
A Plan has been established to respond to the presence of a regulated non-quarantine or economically important pest or disease.
Biosecurity Plan
A systematic biosecurity plan (based on the criteria identified above) has been developed, documented, and implemented, and its effectiveness is assessed on a routine basis to improve the plan.
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