Biosecurity Practices
What is Biosecurity?
Biosecurity refers to practices designed to prevent, reduce or eliminate the introduction and spread of disease. Concerns over the spread of animal diseases, are high within the livestock industry. Livestock diseases can affect any type of operation regardless of size. Biosecurity practices tailored to each operation minimize the introduction and/or transmission of disease. Biosecurity plays a vital role in sustainable livestock production. Good biosecurity protects your flock from disease, as well as your neighbours and the sector at large from disease transmission.
What is the Risk?
African Swine Fever (ASF) has not yet been detected in Canada. However, if introduced, it could spread rapidly among farms due to its highly contagious nature. ASF has a very high mortality rate, so the disease’s introduction into Canada would result in significant mortality among pigs. Outbreaks of ASF in Canadian pigs would lead to the immediate halt of much of Canada’s pork export trade, which would have severe economic impacts. If feral hogs are infected, and domestic herds are not kept properly isolated from feral pigs through good fencing, this would facilitate the spread of disease between commercial herds across long distances.
The same practices that will protect your pigs if ASF is introduced to Canada also safeguard your pigs from a wide variety of diseases present in British Columbia, including Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea and Porcine Circovirus. It is important that all farms have these practices in place at all times.
The Importance of Biosecurity in Disease Prevention
There is no silver bullet solution to prevent disease transmission, but maintaining a range of good biosecurity practices helps prevent both the infection of your pigs and others from a variety of harmful diseases. Good biosecurity practices limit the points of contact for disease transmission between species and between farms.
Practices to Prevent the Introduction of African Swine Fever to Canada
Never feed meat to pigs or any other feed that has been in contact with meat during processing, cooking, transport, or storage.
Do not bring pork products back from other countries.
Thoroughly wash and disinfect clothing when returning to your farm from travel out of Canada. Ensure guests at your farm follow the same protocol.
If your feed is being sourced from a country where ASF is present, ask your supplier what practices they use to prevent contamination.
Key Biosecurity Practices
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Maintain clear separation between public zones of the farm, controlled-access zones that act as a buffer for pathogen spread, and restricted-access zones used for production. There should be signage marking the different zones and stations to wash boots and change clothes between zones.
Ensure that you do not track matter from the other parts of the farm to your pig enclosure by scrubbing and disinfecting boots when entering the area where pigs are raised.
Give visitors and family members personal protective equipment (booties, coveralls) to wear when they are in contact with your pigs.
Define paths where trucks, vehicles, and other equipment can travel to access your pig enclosure. This will help limit the spread of germs and disease.
Have clear lines of separation between biosecurity zones (including outdoor spaces/pasture) with only one point in the line for entry/exit.
Have a hand and boot washing station (first scrubbing visible dirt off boots, then sanitizing with a solution) at the point of entry.
Controlled Access Zone (CAZ)
The CAZ is the immediate area where you raise your pigs. It is important to prevent contaminants from entering your CAZ.
Ensure your CAZ barrier is defined and signed
Only allow essential visitors into the CAZ
As much as possible, receive services that require other to access your farm outside of your CAZ (e.g. dumpsters, fuel & propane tanks, courier deliveries)
Restricted Access Zone (RAZ)
The RAZ is the area just around the area where you immediately raise pigs. Think of it as a buffer zone to prevent pathogens from reaching your pigs.
Do not allow any non-essential personnel to enter the RAZ
Train all essential personnel on the biosecurity measures in place
Have a hand and boot washing station (first scrubbing visible dirt off boots, then sanitizing with a solution) at the point of entry to the RAZ
Designate tools and equipment needed within the RAZ, disinfect them before they enter the RAZ and keep them there.
If equipment must be moved in and out of the RAZ (e.g. tractor, ATV), remove visible organic debris and disinfect tires and contaminated areas with an approved product prior to leaving/re-entering the RAZ.
When exiting the RAZ leave any designated apparel and equipment on the RAZ side of the CAZ/RAZ demarcation.
Wash and sanitize your hands before entering and after exiting the RAZ.
Each farm must consider its individual needs and unique circumstances when planning biosecurity zones, for example:
Proximity to other pig farms, processing facilities, transportation routes for pigs
Proximity of known feral hog farms
Farm biosecurity starts with identifying disease transmission risks and taking steps to reduce those risks. This can be a simple, hand-drawn diagram identifying important areas including:
Access points, gates and barriers
Driveways, lanes, walkways, visitor parking area
Shipping, receiving and storage areas
Outdoor areas for pigs
Indoor areas for farrowing
Manure and deadstock management areas
Riparian areas
Restricted Access Zone (RAZ)
Controlled Access Zone (CAZ)
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Do not share tools, pig supplies, or lawn and garden equipment with other pig farmers. If you must, be sure to clean and disinfect the items before they reach your property or before returning them.
Scrub and disinfect footwear, vehicles, and equipment after coming into contact with other pig herds or after visiting feed and supply stores.
When sourcing feed and litter for your pigs, make sure delivery trailers are covered to prevent contamination of feed, feed ingredients, and fresh litter during transport to the farm.
Bringing infected pigs and weaners into your herd can be a significant risk for disease transmission. Be sure to source disease-free pigs and quarantine them when coming onto your farm. More information is included in the sections below labeled “Quarantine New Pigs” and “Ask About Biosecurity when Sourcing New Stock”
Preventing any contact between your pigs and feral hogs is an important way to prevent the spread of disease. More information about this is included in the section below about wildlife and pest management.
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Ensure visitors to your farm have not recently traveled to areas where ASF is prevalent. If they have, ask them to avoid the farm for a few months and if this is not possible, ensure they wear clothing and footwear that has not been to the impacted country.
Whenever possible, prevent guests from entering controlled or restricted access zones.
If they absolutely must enter a controlled zone, ensure visitors maintain the same biosecurity practices as farmworkers (washing and sanitizing boots when entering and leaving controlled and restricted access zones
Maintain a public parking zone for visitors outside the production area of the farm
Clean off visible dirt and disinfect any vehicle or farm equipment that must enter a controlled access zone, whether that is yours or belongs to a visitor (be sure to disinfect the tires and undercarriage as well).
Give clear and consistent instructions to everyone who handles your equipment or vehicles.
Restrict the access of feed trucks, delivery vehicles, processors, and other services to non-production areas of the farm.
When biosecurity risks become higher (ex. in the event of a nearby disease outbreak), it is important to limit visitor access to the farm as much as possible
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When biosecurity risks become higher, (ex. in the event of a nearby disease outbreak), it is important to take increased precautions, such as wearing booties, gloves and/or different clothing to work with your pigs.
Wearing booties when working with pigs can help prevent the spread of pig diseases. Wearing booties is important if you need to visit another herd.
In the event of a nearby disease outbreak, you will be informed of extra precautions to take because you hold a Premises ID. This could include wearing PPE to work with your pigs.
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When working with pigs, start with the youngest (most susceptible) group and move to the oldest. If the youngest are weaners that have recently been brought to the farm, be sure to wash hands and wash then disinfect boots between working with them and working with other pigs.
Be aware of whether your farm is on a common transport route for pigs (being brought to the slaughterhouse or otherwise transported from place to place). Trucks carrying hogs can shed contaminants as particles of contaminated litter, manure and other fluids fly off the truck as it passes by. Keep your outdoor pig enclosure away from roadways if you are on a pig transport route.
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Do not leave pig carcasses in the pasture which could attract wildlife or predators. Attracting scavengers to your farm puts your pigs at risk of predation and disease spread, as well as increasing the risk of wildlife bringing other diseases to your farm, including Avian Influenza.
It is important to dispose of carcasses immediately in a place that predators cannot access them.
It is important to dispose of dead pigs off-farm if possible
If farrowing outside, be aware that dead piglets and placentas can attract wildlife, so it is important to dispose quickly of this waste.
Feed can attract wildlife, which could either come into direct contact with your pigs to spread disease, or contaminate your feed.
Be cautious when feeding your pigs large quantities of food waste.
It is important to ensure that none of this food waste has been contaminated in the kitchen, processing facility, or transportation, by meat products.
It is also crucial that you either go through food scraps quickly or build proper storage bins that prevent food scraps from attracting wildlife.
Develop backup plans in the case of a disease outbreak to manage large numbers of carcasses and amounts of manure that must be disposed of safely due to contamination.
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Wash and sanitize all equipment coming from off the farm that you plan to use with your pigs or bring into the CAZ/RAZ.
When farrowing indoors, clean out all the litter from one batch, sanitize the area completely, then lay fresh bedding for the next batch.
Be sure to clean and disinfect tools, trailers, and any other equipment used for transporting new pigs from another farm to your farm or from your farm to another. Clean and disinfect all equipment before taking it to each new location to pick up pigs.
Be careful when moving feed, feed ingredients, and fresh litter into the CAZ/RAZ. Use only cleaned and disinfected equipment, or better yet, equipment dedicated only to handling feed and fresh litter.
Be careful to clean and disinfect equipment between using it to move food scraps or compost and using it to move pig feed (or better, use different equipment for the two jobs.
After spending time in the forest (where you may have come into contact with matter contaminated by feral hogs), do not allow your hunting clothes, footwear, equipment, dogs, or vehicle, to come into contact with your pigs before being thoroughly disinfected.
When cleaning and disinfecting indoor farrowing spaces, equipment, and vehicles, follow the procedure below:
Wear PPE for disinfection and change PPE between separate pig enclosures
Empty farrowing sheds and pens of all bedding, livestock, manure, and other debris before beginning sanitization
“Dry clean” by brushing and scraping off all visible organic materials (bedding, manure, etc.)
“Wet” clean all surfaces—scrub with water and detergent. Work from top to bottom and back to front.
Rinse all surfaces carefully with water
Apply disinfectant according to the directions on the label.
Leave the enclosure empty until it is completely dry. Use fans and/or open doors and windows to help speed the drying process.
When you’re done, remove and discard your protective gear. If using dedicated clothing and boots, change clothing and clean and disinfect your boots.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Wash and dry your dedicated clothing.
Common disinfectants that are effective against Avian Influenza, African Swine Fever, and other pathogens include:
Bleach (diluted at a rate of 1:32). This is often acceptable in organic systems. Be sure to confirm with your certification agency
Accelerated hydrogen peroxide disinfectants (hydrogen peroxide is an approved organic disinfectant)
Phenolic disinfectants (such as pine sol)
An extensive list of disinfectants that have been tested and proven effective against Avian Influenza by the US Environmental Protection Agency can be found here.
An extensive list of disinfectants that have been tested and proven effective against African Swine Fever by the National Institute of Health can be found here (starting on page 6).
A list of disinfectants approved for use under Canadian Organic Standards can be found here (starting on page 40).
If you are certified organic, e sure to check with your certifying agency before using a new disinfectant
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Bringing new pigs and weaners onto the farm can be a serious source of disease transmission. It is important to isolate new pigs for 4-6 weeks and monitor them for disease before combining them with the rest of the herd.
Quarantine new pigs and weaners in a pen that is as far as possible from the rest of your herd. Wash hands and wash and disinfect boots when moving between your main herd and the isolated pigs. Use different tools and equipment with the isolated pigs (or clean and disinfect between using them with your main herd and the isolated pigs).
If possible, practice an all-in, all-out rotation, moving an entire batch of pigs from one enclosure or another, or onto the farm and to slaughter all at once, cleaning and disinfecting between each batch.
Limiting the frequency at which you introduce new pigs into the herd can help reduce the spread of disease.
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Buying cheap, unhealthy weaners will cost you dearly in the long run, even if they do not carry a disease and pose a biosecurity risk. Look at the pigs/weaners you are purchasing and ensure that they appear healthy. It is relatively easy to spot an unhealthy piglet. Refusing to take these pigs is one of your farm’s best biosecurity defenses.
Anytime you are purchasing stock, ask the source about:
Vaccinations that the herd has received
Health records of the pigs for common diseases and parasites
The farm’s biosecurity protocols (ex. Limiting visitor access, good fencing, regular cleaning & disinfection)
Participation in any health programs or certifications
Do not buy pigs from the source if they do not have good answers to these questions.
Wear site-specific clothing, including footwear, when loading or delivering pigs to prevent cross-contamination with your herd.
Seek recommendations from trusted sources such as your local feed store or veterinarians to find reputable sources.
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Offer regular training on biosecurity practices to your current employees and any new hires. Training increases compliance and helps make sure everyone follows procedures consistently.
Post biosecurity instructions and reminders at key locations on your farm (ie: zone transitions, boot washing & disinfection station)
Closely monitor your pigs for decreased feed and water intake, increased mortality, unusual behaviour, and the signs of any of the diseases listed above. Train and mandate employees to do the same.
Practicing Good Biosecurity when Feeding Food Scraps
It is illegal to feed meat scraps to swine
When feeding food scraps and participating in food waste diversion programs, ensure that nothing your pigs eat have come into contact with meat in processing, in the kitchen, or in transport.
Keep all food scraps stored in secure containers to prevent attracting feral hogs and other wildlife.
Be cautious if importing feed to ensure it has not been contaminated with meat ingredients.
Store pet food securely and far away from pigs.
Managing Feral Hogs
The Role of Feral Hogs in Disease Transmission
Feral hog populations significantly contribute to the spread of diseases amongst swine because they roam freely, carrying diseases from farm to farm. Once feral hog populations become carriers of a given disease, it becomes very hard to control the disease’s spread or eradicate the disease in the feral hog population.
Domestic pigs can easily become feral if they escape their enclosures. It is the responsibility of all producers to ensure their pigs are well-fenced and do not become feral.
It is important to fence pigs well to avoid contact and potential disease spread between feral hogs and domestic pigs.
Feral hogs pose a particular risk for the introduction of African Swine Fever because they may be able to access improperly-stored meat scraps contaminated with ASF, then spread the disease to domestic hogs.
Report all sightings of feral swine by submitting an online form, downloading the app, or by calling the Invasive Species Council of BC at 1-888-933-3722
Key Feral Hog Management Practices
Good Fencing: The Best Way to Prevent Contamination from Feral Hogs
Good fencing is the best way to keep domestic and feral hogs from coming into contact, and preventing your pigs from becoming feral.
It is important to have both a good perimeter fence and an interior fence.
Fences must either be extremely sturdy or electrified.
Inspect fences regularly to either ensure they are properly electrified or to repair holes. Pigs are extremely smart. They will know if a fence is not properly electrified and they will find any holes in a fence.
Fences that are not electrified should be either made from barbed wire or hog panels, with sturdy posts.
Perimeter and interior fences should be far enough apart to prevent nose-to-nose contact between your pigs and feral hogs
Good perimeter fencing also keeps other predators away from your pigs.
Be aware of aerial predators when farrowing in the field and caring for young pigs. Wild birds interacting with your pigs could also
Employ appropriate deterrence methods, such as reflective tape, keeping pigs away from wetlands, and employing livestock guardian dogs.
Keeping Feed and Water Free from Contamination
Keep all food and food scraps, including those being fed to pigs, in secure containers to prevent attracting feral hogs and other pests to your property.
When throwing out kitchen scraps that include meat, it is very important to ensure that feral hogs cannot access the scraps because this could be a vector for the introduction of ASF.
It is important to keep feeders under a roof to prevent wild birds from accessing pig feed and reduce the likelihood of spreading Avian influenza to your hogs.
Emergency Response
Steps in the Case of a Suspected Disease Outbreak
You are legally responsible to notify the CFIA and BC Office of the Chief Veterenarian of serious pig diseases, including any suspected cases of ASF. Contact information for local CFIA branches are listed below. In the case of any suspected disease in your farm, notify your veterinarian and ask for advice.
Linked is the list of reportable animal diseases in BC and reporting procedures. It is mandatory to report the suspected presence of any of these diseases on your farm to the CFIA and Office of the Chief Veterenarian.
Remember that sick pigs must be disposed of safely and must not enter the food chain.
If there is a suspected outbreak at your farm, strictly avoid unnecessary travel off-farm until you receive further instructions from the CFIA.
Depopulation and Disposal Methods
If there are deaths in your herd due to a suspected disease outbreak, triple-bag and tag the dead pigs with the time/date of death, any signs of disease on the corpse, and the pig’s tracing number.
If there is a significant disease outbreak at your farm, the CFIA will depopulate your herd. Follow all the instructions they give you.
If there are dead pigs in your herd, you can send samples for testing to the Animal Health Centre to determine the cause of death. More information can be found here.
Cleaning and Disinfection Post-Outbreak
ASF pathogens can remain active in the environment for a long period of time following an outbreak. It is extremely important to properly disinfect a premises following an outbreak, but this does not eliminate the risk of re-infection, especially when raising pigs outdoors. In the case of an ASF outbreak, you will likely not be allowed to raise pigs on your property for months or years.
No matter the disease, it is extremely important to disinfect all surfaces on which the disease could survive. In the case of a disease outbreak, your veterinarian will give you further instructions on the disinfection processes you must follow.
General best practices for cleaning and disinfection:
Wear PPE for disinfection and change PPE between spaces you are disinfecting
Empty farrowing sheds and pens of all bedding, livestock, manure, and other debris before beginning sanitization
“Dry clean” by brushing and scraping off all visible organic materials (bedding, manure, etc.)
“Wet” clean all surfaces—scrub with water and detergent. Work from top to bottom and back to front.
Rinse all surfaces carefully with water
Apply disinfectant according to the directions on the label.
Leave the enclosure empty until it is completely dry. Use fans and/or open doors and windows to help speed the drying process.
When you’re done, remove and discard your protective gear. If using dedicated clothing and boots, change clothing and clean and disinfect your boots.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Wash and dry your dedicated clothing.
Common disinfectants that are effective against Avian Influenza, African Swine Fever, and other pathogens include:
Bleach (diluted at a rate of 1:32). This is often acceptable in organic systems. Be sure to confirm with your certification agency
Accelerated hydrogen peroxide disinfectants (hydrogen peroxide is an approved organic disinfectant)
Phenolic disinfectants (such as pine sol)
An extensive list of disinfectants that have been tested and proven effective against Avian Influenza by the US Environmental Protection Agency can be found here.
An extensive list of disinfectants that have been tested and proven effective against African Swine Fever by the National Institute of Health can be found here (starting on page 6).
A list of disinfectants approved for use under Canadian Organic Standards can be found here (starting on page 40).
If you are certified organic, e sure to check with your certifying agency before using a new disinfectant
Restrictions During Outbreaks
If there is an outbreak, do not leave your farm or accept anyone onto your farm while waiting for further instructions from the CFIA and Office of the Chief Veterinarian.
If there is a disease outbreak at a farm nearby, you will be notified and informed of the necessary next steps because of your Premises ID.
Testing and Updates on Emerging Threats
Participate in the BC Animal Health Center Disease Detection Program for Smallholders to monitor and test your herd for disease. Contact your veterinarian for more information.
If there are additional biosecurity measures you need to take due to your proximity to an outbreak, you will be informed because you hold a Premises ID.
Follow all instructions and general orders issued by the Office of the Chief Veterinarian.
If you have questions about biosecurity, contact the Office of the Chief Veterinarian (604-556-3003) or your local industry association
The Small Scale Meat Producers Association: info@smallscalemeat.ca
BC Pork: info@bcpork.ca, 604-287-4647
