Creating a Simple Biosecurity Protocol

A template biosecurity protocol for smallholder farms, covering visitor management, new stock introduction, waste management, and cleaning routines. A biosecurity protocol does not need to be a lengthy document. On a smallholder farm, a one-page set of rules that everyone working on the farm understands and follows consistently is more valuable than a comprehensive manual that nobody reads. This article provides a template protocol covering four areas. Visitor management: who is allowed into the farm, what they must do before entering the animal areas, and what records should be kept of farm visitors. New stock introduction: the quarantine pen setup, the minimum isolation period, the health checks to perform during isolation, and the signs that mean an animal should not be integrated into the existing herd. Waste management: where manure is stored, how often it is removed from animal areas, and how composting reduces pathogen load. Cleaning routines: which surfaces and equipment need regular cleaning, what to use, and how often. The template is designed to be written in a farmer's own words and posted visibly on the farm. Consistency over time is what makes biosecurity work.