Livestock producers are being helped to prepare farm biosecurity plans before the industry introduces changes on October 1.
Livestock Health & Biosecurity Victoria (LHBV) will run workshops across the state to help producers prepare for changes to the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program.
The changes mean producers will essentially have more evidence of the good work they’re doing around biosecurity and animal welfare, which is important because customers increasingly expect and ask for information about the food they eat and how it’s produced.
To meet one of the new requirements for LPA, producers need a documented farm biosecurity plan for each Property Identification Code (PIC). It shouldn’t be a difficult task, but it needs to be more than just ticking a few boxes and forgetting about it.
For most producers, developing a plan will simply be capturing what they already do to minimise the risk of introducing or spreading diseases, pests and weeds on their properties.
It also provides a chance to review current practices and look for opportunities to strengthen them.
The workshops will provide information and tools so producers can develop practical biosecurity plans that are useful to their farm business, underpinning productivity, maintaining market access, giving consumers confidence and protecting the natural environment.
Beef producers can also use their plan to meet requirements for a Johne’s Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS) if they choose to take part in the Johne’s disease assurance system. As an industry, we have an opportunity to make sure biosecurity plans are a useful tool right across the value chain.
It’s important that we all take part to ensure a strong and universal program.
The following events will feature presentations from MLA’s Integrity Systems Company and give producers hands-on experience developing plans:
- Euroa: Friday, August 18
- Willaura: Tuesday, August 22
- Sale: Wednesday, August 30
- Hamilton: Wednesday, September 6
- Newstead: Wednesday, September, 20
- Tallangatta: Friday, October 20
For more information and registration details, visit www.lhbv.org.au