The Advisory Group representatives have agreed to specific terms of reference, which include roles and responsibilities, timeframes, and process. This document is available from any of the provincial industry organization representatives.
The National Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard will complement existing farm level programs. It will take approximately two years to develop the standard.
The term "biosecurity"refers to activities that minimize the risk of introducing and spreading disease and pests. Canadian producers have a long-standing and successful practice of implementing proactive biosecurity on Canadian farms. The CFIA recognizes the role these producers play in protecting Canada’s plant and animal resource base.
The potato sector was recognized as one of the priority commodities that require biosecurity standards by a federal-provincial-territorial committee of biosecurity officials.
Funding to develop this voluntary standard has been provided under the Growing Forward Agricultural Policy Framework.
The standard will be a voluntary tool that
- provides a consistent approach across Canada for identifying and mitigating the risks for transmitting disease and pests;
- facilitates advancements in industry’s identification and knowledge of the risks associated with pathogens and pests;identifies outcomes to achieve, and measures that will support improved biosecurity practices;and
- helps identify potential gaps in current control measures, which can help growers improve the control of potato diseases and pests at the farm level.
As part of the development process of a National Biosecurity Standard, a national benchmarking exercise with farm-level participation will take place. This will help determine the current level of biosecurity implementation in the potato sector across Canada. It will also help identify best practices. This farm-level participation provides an opportunity for producers to have input into developing the standard.
During the standard’s development, the Advisory Group will meet regularly. Group members who represent industry will be encouraged to communicate information to stakeholders and to seek input from them.
Once complete, use of the standard will be voluntary. Producers may use the standard to design a new program or improve upon their existing potato disease and pest control programs.
The provinces are developing programs to help producers implement biosecurity measures. These commodity-specific programs are determined by each province.
