read more - Potato Growers of Alberta

Biosecurity Program InformationT HE P O T A T O M I N U T EThe Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in collaboration with Agriculture andAgri-Food Canada (AAFC), the Canadian Potato Council (CPC) of the CanadianHorticultural Council (CHC), the potato industry sector organizations, and provincialDepartments of Agriculture, initiated the development of a voluntary National Farm-LevelBiosecurity Standard and producer guidance document for potato growers. The objective of thestandard is to provide potato producers with a nationally consistentproactive approach to preventing and managing the spread of diseases and pests through goodbiosecurity practices.It is recognized that Canadian potato growers have a long-standing and successfulpractice of implementing proactive biosecurity measures on their farms. However, a moreintegrated systematic approach along the production continuum within the potatoindustry, as well as across the agri-commodity sectors, in both domestic and internationalmovements of products, is desirable.The National Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard represents a set of measures thatfocuses on excluding, containing, and/or managing pests and diseases at the farm level. Thisapproach provides protection from pests and diseases to Canada's potato industry at the farmlevel, regionally, nationally, and internationally.The foundation of this biosecurity standard is guided by scientific information, producer-levelconsultation, and a detailed analysis of existing farm-level programs. The review of these keyelements provided information on best-management practices and the current state ofbiosecurity implementation on potato-producing farms in Canada.This National Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard provides a framework for thedevelopment of individual farm biosecurity plans or the enhancement of existing farmlevel programs, such as the following: CanadaGAP, Integrated Pest Management Survey,Environmental Farm Plans, Safe Quality Food 2000, and other regional or provincial programs.Each licensed grower in Alberta will be receiving a package in the mail with a copy of theStandard for your reference.If you have any questions, pleasecontact Deb Hart by calling780-415-2305.5