OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 02/05/13 -- A new biosecurity standard was introduced today that will help dairy farmers protect the health of their herds.

"Canadian dairy farmers have been producing wholesome products for our tables for generations," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "Farming practices that protect and strengthen animal health are good investments for farmers and bring positive returns to the entire industry."

"I want to thank the many farmers who helped develop this standard," said Wally Smith, President of Dairy Farmers of Canada. "The biosecurity standard will be a tool for all proactive farmers who want to bring animal health to a superior level. It complements standards we already have for on-farm food safety in the Canadian Quality Milk program, and other efforts dairy farmers make to constantly improve their farm operations."

The National Standard is a series of management practices designed to help farmers minimize and control the risk of disease entering their farms, spreading within the farm or to neighbouring farms.

The Standard is divided into four key control areas:

--  Animal health management 
--  Animal additions and movement 
--  Premises' management and sanitation  
--  Personnel, visitors, vehicles, and equipment

The Biosecurity for Canadian Dairy Farms National Standard was developed over two years through a partnership with the Dairy Farmers of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in collaboration with farmers, academia, and provincial governments. Funding was provided by the Growing Forward policy initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It was designed specifically for the Canadian dairy industry, and is applicable to farm operations of all types and sizes.

For a copy of the Standard or to learn more about biosecurity visit the CFIA's website at www.inspection.gc.ca/biosecurity.

Background information:

Question: What is the Standard?

Answer: The standard is a voluntary tool that producers can use to build and/or improve existing farm-level biosecurity programs.

Question: What does the Standard consist of?

Answer: Canadian producers have a long-standing tradition of practicing biosecurity on their farms. The standard offers goals, objectives and measurable targets for all producers from small-scale to large-scale establishments.

Question: What is farm-level biosecurity?

Answer: Farm-level biosecurity is a series of best management practices designed to help prevent, and or control the introduction and spread of disease.