Maintaining a healthy environment in the Farm and Agriculture Industry is far from simple. Unsanitary practices of animal farming can lead to disease outbreaks and food contamination from fungi, bacteria, viruses, ectoparasites, and endoparasites.

To prevent such risks, farms need to maintain good Biosecurity conditions. It is an integral concept that encompasses policy and regulation in protecting agriculture, food, and the environment.

How the World’s View towards Biosecurity Evolves

The last couple of years of the pandemic outbreak has awakened the world’s awareness of the importance of Biosecurity. Especially with the latest Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak that strikes cattle in 23 provinces in Indonesia. Indonesia reported a US$1.37 billion loss in 2022 from this disease.

In stemming the spread of this disease, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency started regulating the traffic of animals at risk of contamination, containing Biosecurity as one of the requirements.

There are 3 main stages in implementing Biosecurity: Isolation, Traffic Control, and Sanitation. Aside from that, separating the farm areas using 3-Zone Biosecurity is also needed. Red Zone covers all areas outside the farm with a high risk of contamination, including humans and anything they brought. Yellow Zone is the transition zone that serves as a buffer from the high-risk zone to the production zone. While the Green Zone is the clean area where production happens. Only authorized personnel can enter this zone, they also must sanitize tools they need to use while being in this are. 

Ideally, there is a need to practice Biosecurity at all times. During a disease outbreak, it can serve both as a prevention and reduction of the disease spread.

Though having a Biosecurity management plan still remains voluntary, having one will significantly improve animal health, which results in the best product quality.