Feed lot -- LNN file photo

By Dori Modney with files from Alberta Agriculture

Livestock and poultry producers encouraged to have bio-security plans in place

Nov 16, 2020 | 2:06 PM

EDMONTON, AB. — While COVID has played havoc with many industries and businesses, the one bright spot has been agriculture, where there have been no reports of livestock being infected by COVID-19 anywhere.

However, livestock producers are encouraged to follow normal bio-security measures as always.

Bio-security refers to practices designed to prevent, reduce or eliminate the introduction and spread of disease. Concerns over the spread of animal diseases, particularly those of foreign origin, are high within the livestock industry.

The measures include limiting visitors or workers who may have travelled, or been in contact with anyone from an affected area.

Visitors who have travelled abroad in the last 14-days should be excluded, as well as anyone who is ill.

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Producers are encouraged to develop bio-security plans that are tailored to their own operation. Alberta Agriculture has put together a wide array of information and publications to help create a bio-diversity plan.

For updates on COVID-19 and on-farm disease prevention, see Biosecurity and livestock – Resources: COVID-19.

Other information can be found at:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency – Basic Principles of Biosecurity

Canadian Food Inspection Agency – Biosecurity Tools

Complete this checklist to better understand your farm’s risk areas.

The following bio-security resources are available for livestock producers:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency – Basic Principles of Biosecurity

Cleaning and disinfecting backyard poultry flock premises

Keep Alberta small flocks healthy: Safely add to your small flock

When disease enters your flock