Quick facts
- Secure Beef Supply (SBS) is a voluntary program that gives producers the resources needed to create a plan for their farm if it is affected by restricted movement due to a disease outbreak but not infected by the disease.
- The goal of SBS is to help producers in restricted movement areas continue to run their business during a disease outbreak.
- The program is focused mostly on plans in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak such as foot and mouth disease (FMD).
Secure Beef Supply plans help producers
Animal movement
If your farm falls within a restricted movement area due to a disease outbreak, permits for movement will be awarded based on the perceived risk of animal movement. If you can show you have an SBS plan, and can reliably follow the protocols in your plan, your perceived risk will be less and your permitted movement more likely.
Limit lost income
If animal movement stops, most operations will lose revenue. The faster business can continue, the less income will be lost. An SBS plan is the most efficient way to show authorities you have a low risk of transmission when moving animals. Having a plan in place saves time in the event of restricted movement.
Maintain supply to consumers
Beef is a valuable commodity. An SBS plan through continuity of business maintains the supply of products to consumers. Maintaining supply preserves the reputation of your business and the industry as a whole.
What are the parts of a secure beef supply plan
Request a national premise identification number (PIN)
To obtain a permit for movement, a producer must have a national premise identification number (PIN). Making sure you have a PIN saves you time later. If a foreign animal disease outbreak occurred, the system would be overwhelmed by people needing a PIN. Have one ahead of time.
Enhanced biosecurity plan
- The enhanced biosecurity plan in the SBS plan is not something you would conduct on a day-to-day basis. It is only implemented in the case of restricted movement due to a disease outbreak.
- Day-to-day biosecurity is essential for operations, but the heightened security in this plan would be impractical for everyday use.
- Enhanced biosecurity helps producers develop strategies for preventing known disease transmission routes such as visitors, vehicles, carcasses, manure, etc.
Disease surveillance and sample collection personnel
- Producers should prepare for a possible outbreak by designating specific personnel for disease surveillance in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak.
- Producers should provide designated staff with appropriate educational materials for clinical disease signs and have a way to document animal health challenges.
Movement records
- Accurate movement records are essential for a low perceived risk when applying for permitted animal movement.
- Providing records to show your farm has not been in contact with infected animals gives authorities confidence in issuing a movement permit.
- Producers should document animal movement, both into and out of the farm.
What to do if there is a foreign animal disease outbreak like FMD
- Start using your enhanced biosecurity plan.
- Start conducting disease surveillance.
- Make sure your animal movement records are up to date.
- Review the forms and training materials available to you in your SBS plan.
- Use the SBS guidelines to help you continue business.
Reviewed in 2023