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Nutrient Management Protocols for Ontario Regulations Made Under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002

Author: OMAFRA Staff
Creation Date: 2002
Last Reviewed: 2002
Note: This document is a draft consultation version issued in 2002. The final version of this document is available at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/nm/regs/nmpro/nmprotc.htm

Biosecurity Protocol  
Draft for Discussion Purposes Only
November, 2002

Table Of Contents

  1. Purpose
  2. Minimum Required Equipment
  3. Procedure
  4. Communication

Purpose

The intent of this protocol is to address the biosecurity concerns of agriculture producers with respect to farm visits by OMAFRA and MOE personnel. The protocol will apply to all situations involving OMAFRA and MOE staff entering agricultural operations, not just those pertaining to the Nutrient Management Act. This protocol may also serve as a guideline for other Ontario government ministries.

This is meant as a minimum standard for government staff. The measures outlined in the protocol are designed to minimize the risk of transferring hazards between agricultural operations under normal conditions. Additional measures may be required in certain situations or upon request by the agricultural operator. If additional measures are requested by the agricultural owner/operator, adequate and appropriate equipment and facilities are to be provided by the agricultural owner/operator.

Complete biosecurity is still the responsibility of the owner/operator of the agricultural operation.

Biosecurity concerns cannot be used as a means to restrict entry of government staff to agricultural operations.

Minimum required equipment

Personal Equipment

    Disposable booties or washable rubber boots

    Germicidal hand lotion and hand wipes

    Launderable or disposable coveralls or labcoat*

    Vehicle Equipment

Pail and boot brush for washing boots and equipment

Broad spectrum bactericidal and viricidal disinfectant

Jug of water (5L is sufficient)

Garbage bags for storing contaminated clothing and equipment

Disposable booties and gloves

Paper towels

* Required equipment only for staff entering livestock or greenhouse facilities, crop fields or in direct contact with livestock

It is the responsibility of the employee to ensure all equipment is available prior to the visit.

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 Procedure

  1. Respect any additional protocol, signs and barriers at the facility. Any additional mandatory equipment must be supplied by the agricultural owner/operator.
  2. Park away from the barn if possible and only in authorized areas, away from ventilation outlets and inlets.
  3. Clean, washable boots or clean, disposable boot covers should be worn while on the premises. Use footwear and clothing supplied by the operator when possible.
  4. Clean or disposable coveralls must be worn when in direct contact with livestock, or when in livestock housing facilities. Staff in contact with crops should have coveralls available. Labcoats may be worn in greenhouses.
  5. Inside the facility, only enter livestock areas when necessary. Avoid walking on feeding surfaces. Minimize traffic through feed storage areas. Stay on alleyways and sidewalks as much as possible. Do not contaminate housing or feeding areas with manure. Avoid direct contact with animals unless necessary.
  6. When leaving the site, leave disposable materials with the owner/operator if possible. Otherwise, place the materials in a sealed garbage bag in the vehicle for later disposal.
  7. Boots and field equipment must be cleaned prior to leaving the site. Excessive organic matter should be rinsed off prior to disinfection. To clean rubber boots and equipment, scrub all surfaces, including the soles, using a disinfectant solution, boot brush, and a large pail of water. Rinse the pail of all debris with clean water.
  8. Put the boots, pail and equipment in the vehicle to air-dry away from other clean materials. Remove and store soiled coveralls in a garbage bag away from clean materials. Wash your hands with soap and water (or disinfectant lotion) and dry them with a disposable paper towel.
  9. In the event the federal government imposes additional or replacement requirements during an outbreak of infection, they will apply.


Communication

In the event of new contagious disease warnings in the province, the Provincial Veterinarian or plant pathologists will notify other government staff of additional biosecurity protocols or restrictions.

Note: This document is a draft consultation version issued in 2002. The final version of this document is available at:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/nm/regs/nmpro/nmprotc.htm

 

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