Select a biosecurity coordinator

When having a biosecurity plan for your farm, declare one specific person to lead the process. On a day-to-day basis, this person is responsible for the development, implementation, maintenance and ongoing effectiveness of the biosecurity plan and program. Who is your biosecurity coordinator? For the NPIP Audit, you will be required to list this person’s name. 

The biosecurity coordinator can be on the farm, or company level depending on the size of the operation. Regardless of where this person originates from, they should be knowledgeable in the principles of biosecurity – the basics and what may be specific for your production system. They do not need specific certification to have this title, but will need to be able to describe and interpret the company’s biosecurity program.

Write-up your biosecurity plan

The next step of biosecurity responsibility to have a written biosecurity plan. Many have this plan “in their head”. For numerous reasons, this plan needs to be put on paper and its location needs to be told to others.

Currently, there is no required format for how you write your plan. Some farms may have a 20-page plan with numerous additional pages of supporting documents. Your plan may be simple and fit on 4 pages. The content of your biosecurity plan should include thorough answers to the NPIP Audit Guidelines. This would include any standard operating procedures you have in place. 

Begin your plan with general information about your farm.

• Operator name

• Farm name

• Physical address of the farm

• Mailing address of the farm (if different than physical address)

• Phone number(s)

• Biosecurity coordinator’s name and (work) contact information

While preparing a written biosecurity plan, the biosecurity coordinator may find some gaps in training or procedures. Now is the time to develop those processes and implement them. 

Clearly define periods of "heightened risk"

A period of “heightened risk” can be an intense time for all producers and their employees. It is the responsibility of the biosecurity coordinator that “period of heightened risk” is clearly defined in the biosecurity plan. It is imperative to explain in the original plan how a review of the plan will occur in times of heightened risk. Documenting any communications (emails, letters, memos, phone logs, text messages, etc.) will be the duty of the coordinator as well.

Review your written plan yearly

Each calendar year the biosecurity plan will need to be reviewed. Be sure to make any necessary revisions at that time. A Biosecurity Plan Review and any revisions need to be provided and documented for your audit.