Defra, UK - Animal Health and welfare - Disease surveillance and control - Disease control

A. Biosecurity literally means ‘ safe life’. For livestock farmers it is about the prevention of disease causing agents entering or leaving any place where farm animals are present or have been present recently. It involves a number of measures designed to prevent disease causing agents from entering or leaving a property and being spread. Of particular concern at markets is that disease causing agents can be present in animals’ breath, faeces, urine, semen, milk, nasal secretions and saliva.

Q2. Why is biosecurity important?

A. Biosecurity helps prevent the spread of disease. The prevention of disease and the maintenance of healthy livestock benefit owners because all animal diseases cost the owner money, prevent produce going to market in peak condition and can lead to the loss of export markets. Disease is also detrimental to the livestock’s welfare, disrupts farming and rural businesses and causes owners and others considerable stress and anxiety. Some diseases are zoonotic and therefore good biosecurity also reduces risks to human health.

Q3. Why are you carrying out a publicity campaign on biosecurity at markets?

A. The foot and mouth disease outbreak demonstrated that biosecurity at markets needed to improve. At markets animals are brought together and then moved away creating a risk of rapid disease spread. In general biosecurity is now far better. But as the memories of the outbreak fade, the ‘personal’ biosecurity requirements, such as cleansing and disinfecting footwear on leaving the animal area are often ignored. The campaign aims to raise awareness of why these procedures are necessary. Good biosecurity reduces the risk of spread of disease by vehicles and people.

Q4. What is best biosecurity practice when I go to market?

A. There are a number of steps that you should take:

Make sure that you wear suitable clothing and footwear. They must be clean and free from animal muck both when you arrive at market and when you leave. Remember that your footwear must be robust because you will have to cleanse and disinfect it every time you leave the animal area. You will also have to make sure that your clothing is clean when you have been in the animal area. You should consider wearing either waterproof clothing that can be cleansed and disinfected or protective clothing that can be removed (or disposed of, if disposable). Another option would be to take a change of clothing with you.
Your vehicle, including trailers etc., must also be clean from animal muck when you arrive at market and when you leave.
Use the footbaths provided to cleanse and disinfect your footwear on leaving the animal area.
Use the changing and washing facilities to clean up your clothes, take off disposable clothes or change.
Wash your hands, particularly after handling animals.
Cleanse and disinfect your vehicle on site if practicable.
Ensure that your vehicle tyres, mudguards and wheel arches are cleansed and disinfected as you leave the market even if you have already carried out a full cleansing and disinfection of your vehicle.

Some of these measures are requirements in law (see Q5 and Q6 below) but they all make good sense. A routine is essential as disease spreads more easily when hygiene is poor.

Q5. What are the measures that are required under the Animal Gatherings Order for ‘personal biosecurity’?

Schedule 2 of the Animal Gatherings (England) Order 2004 lists a number of requirements that people attending an animal gathering must comply with. These are that:

You must not enter licensed premises wearing outer clothing visibly contaminated with animal excreta or other contaminant derived from animals (animal products).
If your outer clothing becomes visibly contaminated with animal excreta or animal products in the animal area, on leaving the animal area you must cleanse and disinfect it, change into clean clothing, dispose of your clothing or leave the licensed premises.
On leaving the animal area, you must cleanse and disinfect your footwear in the footbath provided.
You must not bring onto or take off the premises a vehicle or equipment visibly contaminated with animal excreta or other animal products. This does not apply if the contamination is only from the animals being carried on the vehicle at the time it enters or leaves the premises; or, as long as the contamination is only from animals which have been unloaded on the premises, you are leaving the premises with an empty vehicle and intend to cleanse and disinfect elsewhere; or you are bringing an empty vehicle onto the premises solely for cleansing and disinfection.

There is also a requirement on market operators, as part of their licence conditions, to ensure that vehicles have their tyres, mudguards and wheel arches cleansed and disinfected on leaving the licensed premises.

Q6. What are the rules for cleansing and disinfection of vehicles at markets?

A. The main requirements of the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (England) (no 3) Order 2003 are that after unloading the animals, the vehicle must be fully cleansed and disinfected as soon as is reasonably practicable, before the vehicle is used again and in any case within 24 hours after it has been unloaded.

If leaving the market with an empty vehicle, it is best practice to first fully cleanse and disinfect your vehicle on the premises. If this is practicable, it must be done. However, where it is not practicable, you must complete a declaration (Form FM/AW 27 supplied by the market operator) to say where you will take your vehicle for cleansing and disinfection and you must give the declaration back to the market operator before you leave.

As already highlighted, there is a legal requirement that wheels, mudguards and wheel arches are cleansed and disinfected at the exit to the market even if the vehicle has already been fully cleansed and disinfected.

Q7. I’ve already cleansed and disinfected my vehicle at the market, why do I have to do the wheels again on leaving?

A. Vehicle wheels, mudguards and wheel arches have to be cleansed and disinfected on leaving market premises because the vehicles may have returned to the loading area after carrying out full cleansing and disinfection and been driven through animal excrement before leaving to go to a farm (or farms). We accept that this doesn’t happen on every occasion but rules must be enforced and it is impossible to do that if there is a different rule for every situation.

Q8. Why do we have to cleanse and disinfect vehicle wheels, mudguards and wheel arches, when leaving markets but not slaughterhouses?

A. It is a legal requirement to cleanse and disinfect wheels etc. on leaving a market but not on leaving a slaughterhouse. The risk of spreading disease is greater at a market, because vehicles leaving a market may have returned to the loading area after carrying out full cleansing and disinfection and been driven through animal excrement before leaving to go to a farm (or farms).

Vehicles leaving a slaughterhouse have either cleansed and disinfected on the premises (which of course will include cleansing and disinfection of wheels, mudguards and wheel arches) or will do so back at base. They are not leaving with live animals to go to another farm. It would be disproportionate to require this measure at slaughterhouses unless there is a significant increase in risk, i.e. during an outbreak of exotic disease such as foot and mouth disease.

Q9. Why do we have to be concerned about biosecurity when the disease situation has improved?

A. The foot and mouth disease outbreak of 2001 has long gone. However, we must continue to take steps that reduce the risk of spreading both exotic (from outside this country such as FMD) and endemic (established in this country such as Salmonella, E. coli (VTEC 0157), BVD, and IBR) diseases. Disease and the threat of it, from other livestock and wildlife is constant. In the early stages of an infection an animal may appear healthy, but be infecting other susceptible animals. Infectious diseases may be spread by direct contact, in an animal’s breath, faeces, urine, semen, milk, nasal secretions and saliva (‘secretions and excretions’). Equipment, boots, clothes, vehicles and people’s hands may also become contaminated. Bio-security is an on-going process.

Q10. We have been living with Salmonella and other diseases for years and are not worse off for it.

A. Endemic and exotic diseases affect productivity and animal welfare. Disease will directly impact on your financial position, as well as the wider rural economies. Many animal diseases, including Salmonella, also pose a threat to human health. Constant efforts to prevent disease and control its spread have resulted in better prices of produce at market and lower veterinary costs.

Q11. Surely the 6-day standstill is enough to reduce the risk of disease spread?

A. The 20 day standstill that was in place immediately after foot and mouth disease was reduced to 6 days only when the livestock industry committed to improve biosecurity standards. Although the animals are subject to standstill requirements, people and vehicles who come into contact with them aren’t. People can transfer disease causing agents from animals gatherings to livestock on both farm vehicles and their person. Industry representative organisations have been consulted on all the detail of the livestock movement and market and show controls and have signed up to the steps that must be taken.

Q12. Why do we have to take bio-security measures at markets when not enough is being done to stop disease coming in with illegal imports?

A. The Government is committed to ensuring effective controls against illegal imports of products of animal origin and has made good progress in tackling the problem but it is not possible to eliminate it entirely. The livestock industry must also take responsibility for protecting their business’ by reducing the possibility of the spread of exotic and endemic diseases. In recent years we have seen only too clearly how animal diseases can be a threat to people’s health, and the serious impact that they can have on the livestock and food industries. It is up to all those involved with livestock to play their part in protecting themselves and others.

Action against illegal food imports needs to be seen as part of a package of measures to prevent a repeat of the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak (e.g. biosecurity, movement controls, enhanced disease reporting and the ban on swill feeding) and forms part of the Animal Health and Welfare strategy published by Defra on 24 June 2004.

For more information on the Government’s anti-smuggling controls and publicity campaign see the Defra personal imports website.

Q13. Why do I have to observe personal biosecurity rules at markets but there are no similar requirements at ports and airports?

A. People arriving at airports and ports do not normally arrive in the same type of clothing and footwear that many people attending markets do. The risk is not the person, it is wearing clothing or footwear that has been in contact with livestock and will come into contact with livestock again before it is washed or cleaned. Many farmers and livestock handlers wear the same clothes or footwear at the market as they do on farms. If the clothing or footwear is contaminated then there is a risk of taking a disease with you until such time as they are washed or cleaned.

Q14. The rules at the market in the next town are not so strict, why is this?

A. We are aware that facilities and procedures at different markets vary. Local authority inspectors and the State Veterinary Service have been working with markets to ensure that, as far as possible, there is consistency across the country. We have also introduced a regional system of market checks and inspections to ensure that consistency is improved. The Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) also aims to proactively encourage best practice and consistency across local authority enforcement through existing communication channels. However, everyone who attends a market must remember that they have personal responsibility for biosecurity and must ensure that their clothes, footwear and vehicles are clean.

Q15. The biosecurity controls at shows are more relaxed. Why is this?

A. Livestock shows have to be licensed by Defra in the same way as markets. The biosecurity conditions are similar in many respects but the risk of disease spread from livestock shows is not as high as it is from markets. There are fewer animals at many livestock shows and at the larger shows they tend to be kept in discrete groups. The overall stocking density (i.e. animals per 100 square yards) is much less at shows if compared to markets. The livestock at shows do not get the chance to mix with other livestock - they are kept apart while in their pens, stalls or accommodation and are paraded in lines during the parades. There is therefore much reduced contact for livestock at shows as compared to markets where the animals use the same loading and off-loading facilities and are packed into pens adjacent to other animals awaiting sale. After they are sold the livestock are often mixed with others if more than one lot has been purchased by a single person or company.

The personal biosecurity requirements at shows concentrate on the owners of animals, stockmen and judges and other staff who handle animals or animal excreta because they are most at risk of spreading disease. The spectators and other visitors are rarely there in their work clothes (which is not necessarily true at markets) and are more likely to take sensible precautions if they become contaminated with animal manure.

Another important difference is that all animals arriving at shows must be inspected by a veterinary surgeon for signs of any notifiable disease immediately they are unloaded into the animal area.

Q16. What happens if I don’t comply with the biosecurity requirements at markets?

A. If you break biosecurity rules at markets you will be committing an offence under the Animal Gatherings (England) Order 2004 and you may be prosecuted by the local authority. Breaking the rules on cleansing and disinfecting of livestock vehicles is an offence under the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (England) (No 3) Order 2003 which is also enforced by the relevant local authority.

Q17. Will the publicity campaign cover all markets?

A. Posters and leaflets are being distributed to all livestock markets in England. We are piloting a more interactive approach using promotional teams at around 15-20 markets throughout the country. If the pilot is successful this approach will be rolled out to other markets over the course of the next few months.

Q18. Is this just a Defra initiative?

A. No. The initiative is a partnership between Defra, LACORS, local authorities and industry representative organisations. Industry organisations such as British Assured Meat, the British Veterinary Association, the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association, the National Beef Association, the National Farmers’ Union, the National Pig Association, the National Sheep Association and the Road Haulage Association are working with us to promote the importance of good hygiene practices.

Q19. What is the justification behind this campaign?

A. The foot and mouth disease outbreak cost the country about £3.1 billion, of which losses borne by agricultural producers are estimated at £355 million. We do not want such a devastating outbreak again. The outbreak reminded us that normal farming practices can rapidly spread disease during its incubation period. This applies particularly to highly contagious diseases like foot and mouth but also to endemic diseases. Markets are part of normal farming practices and, with the number of animals being brought together and moving away, create a high risk of spreading disease. The Government and industry representative organisations are committed to improving and maintaining biosecurity.

Q20. The rules at markets in Scotland are different. Why is this?

A. Rules on biosecurity at markets in England and Wales are contained in the Animal Gatherings Orders 2004. The Scottish Executive's Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) has responsibility for policies in Scotland.

Markets in Scotland operate under the Markets, Sales and Lairs Order 1925 as amended. Scotland also have the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 which requires that after unloading the animals, the vehicle must be fully cleansed and disinfected as soon as is reasonably practicable, before the vehicle is used again and in any case within 24 hours after it has been unloaded. This is similar to the legislation operating in England and Wales.

Q21. Dealers who transport livestock around country are a biosecurity risk and should be monitored closely.

A. Dealers must obey the same biosecurity rules as everyone else. Defra are planning to work with Local Authorities to identify high risk operators so they can be scrutinised carefully.

Q22. Why do I have to observe personal biosecurity rules at markets but people can roam freely through the countryside without observing biosecurity?

A. Walkers do not normally wear the same type of clothing and footwear that many people attending markets do. The risk is not the person, it is wearing clothing or footwear that has been in contact with livestock and will come into contact with livestock again before it is washed or cleaned. Walkers will often try and clean contamination off before they move on down the path or bridleway. Many farmers and livestock handlers wear the same clothes or footwear at the market as they do on farms. If the clothing or footwear is contaminated then there is a risk of taking a disease with you until such time as they are washed or cleaned.

Q23. Why does it take so long for fallen stock to be collected?

A. Under most circumstances collectors would normally be expected to collect carcasses within 48 hours following notification. If carcasses do have to be held pending collection, they must be held in such a way that domestic animals, including farmed livestock, and wild animals cannot gain access to them. In practice, it would be reasonable to expect them to be held securely, such as in an enclosed building, or an area away from livestock under a suitable cover, such as a tarpaulin.

Animal By-Products legislation already controls the collection, storage and transportation of animal by-products, including animal carcases. It also requires records to be kept of any consignment of animal by-products to assist in the auditing and traceability of this material.

Disinfectants

Q24. Surely dipping my footwear into disinfectant and disinfecting my vehicle’s wheels, wheel arches and mud flaps can’t make that much difference? Is it really worth it?

A. Disease causing organisms are in soil, slurry and bodily fluids. Disinfectant is important. Disinfecting with an appropriate disinfectant at the correct concentration will kill disease causing organisms that cleansing alone will not kill. Cleansing and disinfecting is vital in preventing the spread of disease. In general, cleansing could decrease the level of contamination a thousand-fold and disinfecting could then further decrease it a further thousand-fold.

Q25. Will the disinfectant corrode my boots/clothes?

A. Recommended good bio-security practice is to have dedicated clothes to wear when you need to cleanse and disinfect.

It is the market operators responsibility to provide the necessary Defra approved disinfectant for use by people attending markets. They should always refer to the manufacturers instructions for safe use of the product.

Q26. What is the best way to apply a disinfectant?

A. How a disinfectant is applied depends on the situation. There is no one universal way to apply a disinfectant effectively. However, it is important that surfaces are clean before disinfectants are applied. Market operators should choose a Defra approved disinfectant that is fit for purpose based on the manufacturers instructions.

Q27. How does the market operator know which disinfectant to use and at what concentrations?

A. The Animal Gatherings (England) Order 2004 requires market operators to use an ‘approved disinfectant’ which means a disinfectant approved under the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) Order 1978 as amended at the concentration required under that Order for ‘General Orders’.

A list of Defra approved disinfectants is available. The list names veterinary disinfectants that have been laboratory tested for efficacy against Tuberculosis, Foot and Mouth Disease, Disease of Poultry, Swine Vesicular Disease and General Orders.

Q28. What about the safe disposal of disinfectants?

A. It is essential that disinfectants are disposed of in accordance with the instructions on the container. These should take account of any requirements specified by the Environment Agency.

Page last modified: March 14, 2008

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Biosecurity: Frequently Asked Questions

‘Don’t spread disease - Biosecurity protects your business’

Q1. What is biosecurity?