A new national standard has been launched by Canada’s Food Inspection Agency announced October 6, 2009 regarding the poultry industry for the safety of animals and Canada’s food supply.

The press release states:

The National Avian On-Farm Biosecurity Standard focuses on disease prevention and protection measures, collectively known as biosecurity which play an important role in keeping diseases off the farm and out of the Canadian food chain.

"Biosecurity is the best investment producers can make to safeguard the health of their animals on the farm and make the most of their business," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "This national standard will guide producers on good biosecurity practices so that together we can protect Canada’s poultry industry against disease."

A few examples of on-farm biosecurity practices include:

• Washing your hands and changing into clean clothes and footwear before and after coming into contact with your animals.
• Routinely cleaning barns, pens, feeders and watering equipment and disinfecting them when necessary.
• Controlling visitor access to your animals.