Harmonizing FAO's biosecurity efforts

Technical experts from FAO, joined by external specialists, gathered in Rome from 20 -21 March to review the first iteration of the FAO integrated biosecurity index (IBI) . 

This comprehensive tool encompasses five critical sectors: aquatic and terrestrial animal health, plant health, food safety, and forestry/invasive species management. Its purpose is to refine the measurement of biosecurity system status and progress at both national and sub-national levels, ensuring effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability.

Rooted in the groundwork laid by the 2007 biosecurity toolkit, which provided essential guidance for developing and executing biosecurity frameworks at the national level, the new integrated approach draws inspiration from success stories in countries like Belize, Norway and New Zealand.

The increase in interest surrounding biosecurity stems from the escalating global trade in food, plant, and animal products, shifting international travel patterns and the emergence of transboundary disease outbreaks affecting humans, animals and plants. There's also a growing awareness of biological diversity and mounting concerns about agriculture's impact on environmental sustainability.

Biosecurity stands as a cornerstone of FAO's work, with various divisions—animal health, food safety, aquaculture, forestry and plant health—integrating biosecurity frameworks into their operations. For instance, in the plant health division, biosecurity activities include initiatives related to the locust hub and combating fall armyworms. Similarly, forestry efforts involve developing a global framework for forest biosecurity. In aquaculture and animal health, ongoing initiatives including the Progressive Management Pathway to Aquaculture Biosecurity and the Progressive Management Pathway to Terrestrial Animal Biosecurity play pivotal roles.

The biosecurity index aims to surpass sectoral boundaries by integrating specialized tools, adhering to the One Health approach. This integration is not intended to replace existing sector-specific tools but rather to complement them, fostering a collaborative environment for prevention, preparedness, and management, all aligned with the One Health Preparedness and Response Action Framework.

At the national level, the index is envisioned as a planning tool, facilitating comprehensive assessments across ministries to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

With the feedback from the technical consultation, and a series of national and inter-regional workshops within the year, a revision will be made to the index criteria and indicators, ensuring a balanced and unbiased approach across countries and production chains, including international trade.