Biosecurity is an integrated approach to analyzing and managing risks to health that includes policy, regulation, and practices to protect agriculture, food and the environment from biological risks. Biosecurity is one of the foundations for increased productivity of food systems and food security. Effective biosecurity is part of an integrated approach that strengthens sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) national health systems as well as animal-based value chains. This integrated approach can effectively prevent and respond to pest and disease shocks and reduce risks to animal and human health.
Within animal value chains, biosecurity directly contributes to the ability to mitigate and manage emerging threats. By addressing and managing risks from a One Health perspective, the livestock and wildlife sectors, in collaboration with the veterinary services, play an integral role in managing animal and zoonotic disease risks and preventing the spread of antimicrobial resistant pathogens to humans and animals. Strong biosecurity is also key for safe trade in animals and animal products, contributing to food safety and international commitments related to SPS measures.
To protect animals from diseases, it is critical to apply biosecurity measures such as good hygiene, segregation of species, protection from wild animals and insects, and appropriate waste management all along the value chain, from farm-to-fork. Good practices should be implemented at farms, markets, abattoirs, sales points, and during transport. Failing to do so puts health and food safety at risk.
Understanding the risk factors that lead to the introduction, spread, and spillover of pathogens, and encouraging practical procedures to reduce risks are crucial. Effective biosecurity is only achievable and sustainable in an enabling environment with appropriate public and private governance, effective surveillance, fit-for-purpose policy and legal frameworks, and stakeholder buy-in and consensus.
By strengthening biosecurity through a One Health approach, we can make progress towards:
- reducing the negative impacts of disease on productivity and livelihoods,
- increasing the resilience of the animal sector,
- anticipating, preventing, detecting and controlling animal and zoonotic diseases reducing the need for antimicrobials and addressing antimicrobial resistance,
- ensuring food safety and food security,
- preventing environment‐related human and animal health threats.
What FAO is doing
Biosecurity encompasses prevention, preparedness, response and risk management, which are all integral to FAO’s One Health Priority Programme Area (OH PPA) within the Strategic Framework 2022-31. By expanding the One Health approach and prioritizing better biosecurity, FAO aims to strengthen the responsiveness of animal health systems and resilience of agrifood systems against diseases and other threats at regional, national and subnational levels to effectively prepare for and defend against high-impact biological threats against diseases and other threats at regional, national and subnational levels to effectively prepare for and defend against high-impact biological threats.
FAO works to improve biosecurity for terrestrial animals through various initiatives and activities:
- Policy development: assisting countries in developing and implementing national biosecurity policies and regulations tailored to their specific needs and circumstances. These policies encompass measures to prevent, control, and manage risks associated with transboundary animal diseases and other biological threats.
- Capacity building: providing technical assistance, training programs, and capacity-building activities to strengthen the skills and knowledge of veterinarians, veterinary professionals, and other stakeholders involved in biosecurity management. This includes training on unique disease epidemiology, disease surveillance and testing, outbreak response, and biosecurity measures implementation.
- Risk assessment and risk management: conducting risk assessments to identify potential threats to terrestrial animal health and evaluate the effectiveness of existing biosecurity measures. Based on these assessments, strategies and recommendations are developed to mitigate risks and improve biosecurity practices.
- Surveillance and early warning systems: supporting the establishment of surveillance systems and early warning mechanisms to detect and monitor disease outbreaks and emerging threats in terrestrial animal populations.
- Disease-specific prevention and control strategies: supporting countries in the progressive control of high-impact, transboundary animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), peste des petits ruminants (PPR), African swine fever (ASF), avian influenza and others.
- Research and innovation: fostering research and innovation in biosecurity technologies and strategies to enhance disease prevention, control, and management. This includes promoting the development of vaccines, diagnostic tools, and biosecurity protocols tailored to the needs of different regions and production systems.
- Collaboration and partnerships: working with governments, international organizations, research institutions, and other stakeholders to coordinate efforts and share best practices in biosecurity management.
Did you know?
⦿ Almost 1.3 billion people rely on livestock for their livelihoods, food and nutrition security.
⦿ In 2018, the total global market value of farmed animals ranged from USD 1.61 to 3.3 trillion
⦿ Reduced productivity and hidden diseases can impact livestock output more than visible illnesses.
⦿ Animal diseases cost up to USD 300 billion annually.
⦿ Biosecurity measures can help safely reduce antimicrobial use in livestock systems.
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