Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and implement a farm or enterprise biosecurity plan which includes a set of measures designed to protect a property from the entry and spread of pests and diseases.
This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others within known parameters. They provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit in some states and territories in relation to use of farm chemicals in quarantine situations, national vendor declarations, and movement of livestock and plant material. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify relevant information for developing a biosecurity plan | 1.1 Interpret biosecurity guidance in industry standards and protocols relevant to enterprise 1.2 Identify known disease, pest and weed seed threats relevant to enterprise 1.3 Identify current access points on the property through which staff, visitors, machinery, equipment, vehicles, farm inputs and farm outputs pass |
2. Develop control measures and procedures for controlling farm inputs | 2.1 Research farm inputs relevant to the enterprise and identify practices to minimise risk of introducing and spreading disease, pests and weeds 2.2 Establish control measures and procedures as required for controlling farm inputs 2.3 Seek vendor declarations or animal health statements |
3. Develop control measures to support biosecurity for farm outputs | 3.1 Research farm outputs relevant to the enterprise and identify practices to minimise risk of spreading disease, pests and weeds 3.2 Establish control measures as required to support biosecurity for farm outputs 3.3 Provide and retain supporting documentation |
4. Develop control measures for movement of people | 4.1 Research the movement of people relevant to the enterprise and identify practices to minimise risk of spreading disease, pests and weeds 4.2 Establish control measures as required for movement of people 4.3 Arrange appropriate signage to support established control measures |
5. Develop control measures for vehicles and equipment | 5.1 Research the role of vehicles and equipment relevant to the enterprise and identify practices to minimise risk of spreading disease, pests and weeds 5.2 Establish control measures as required for vehicles and equipment as required |
6. Develop control measures for production practices | 6.1 Research production practices relevant to the enterprise and identify practices to minimise risk of spreading disease, pests and weeds 6.2 Establish control measures as required for production practices |
7. Develop control measures for control of feral animals, plant pests and weeds | 7.1 Identify feral animals, plant pests and weeds relevant to the enterprise and determine options for their control 7.2 Establish and document control measures as required for control of feral animals, plant pests and weeds |
8. Develop control measures for training staff and keeping records | 8.1 Identify and document staff training required to implement control measures 8.2 Establish recording requirements in accordance with industry best practice |
9. Implement, monitor and review biosecurity plan | 9.1 Conduct a property risk assessment and identify risk facts for pest and disease spread 9.2 Identify appropriate control measures 9.3 Document control measures in the form of a property biosecurity plan 9.4 Develop a biosecurity plan that is achievable and cost effective with short and long term goals 9.5 Induct and train staff in control measures relevant to their role and responsibility 9.6 Monitor staff performance in adhering to control measures 9.7 Monitor effectiveness of control measures and progress against the program timelines, and identify improvements that can be made 9.8 Monitor industry standards and protocols relevant to biosecurity and incorporate into the on farm biosecurity plan 9.9 Revise and amend risk assessment and control measures 9.10 Review staff training and induction records to ensure staff are able to implement biosecurity control measures appropriate to their position |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
determine biosecurity threats to farm or enterprise and control measures using standards and protocols
identify sources of current biosecurity best practice
identify current access points to property
establish control measures and procedures for:
controlling farm inputs including:
new plants or animals
the quality of water sources
bee hives coming onto the property
bedding material
records of source, and use of organic and inorganic fertiliser
measures to support biosecurity for farm outputs including:
harvest bins
packaging operations
transport and movement of plants, produce, livestock and livestock products, and plant waste
intensive rearing of young animals
animal breeding facilities
animal milking facilities
maintaining records
movement of people including:
controlled access points and production areas
visitors, their vehicles, and risk profile
general hygiene
vehicles and equipment including:
equipment hygiene
dedicated equipment use
storage areas
vehicle entry points
vehicle movement and parking
vehicle hygiene and washes
run off from wash areas
roads and tracks
production practices including:
water management
plant byproducts and waste
animal manure and waste effluent
feed storage, feed spills and disposal of unwanted feed
feed and water troughs
product storage
resistance to chemicals
animal disease control
monitoring and surveillance
monitoring frequency
fencing
control of feral animals, plant pests and weeds including:
wild and feral animals
boundary fences
property cleanliness
weeds
volunteer plants
straying animals
agisted or other visiting animals
property and land destruction
training staff and keeping records including:
staff training
traceability (both trace back and trace forward)
animal health assurance
vendor declarations and animal health and product statements
monitoring and surveillance data
seek vendor declarations or animal health statements for:
quality and disease free assurance status of animals, animal feed and compliance with national, state and territory standards and regulations and industry health assurance programs
disease and weed free status of organic fertilisers and compliance with Industry Purchasing Code of Practice or equivalent quality controls
purchased animal bedding material being fit for purpose
provide and retain supporting documentation for:
moving plants, or animals on and off the property
appropriate chemical usage and storage in accordance with industry best practice
develop, document, and induct and train staff in control measures for:
controlling farm inputs
biosecurity for farm outputs
movement of people
vehicles and equipment
production practices
control of feral animals, plant pests and weeds
training staff
keeping records
develop a plan for implementing biosecurity
monitor staff performance
monitor effectiveness of control measures, and identify improvements
revise and amend control measures as needed
review staff training and induction records.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
national industry standards and guidelines relevant to farm or enterprise biosecurity
Nationally Agreed Standard Operating Procedures (NASOP) relevant to farm or enterprise biosecurity plan
diseases, pests and weeds that pose a threat and potential causes of spread
principles of risk management applied to biosecurity
biosecurity practices for:
farm inputs
farm outputs
people, vehicles and equipment
production
feral animals, pests and weeds
training staff, biosecurity planning, and maintaining records
planning processes for costing, allocating resources and establishing timelines
processes for improving staff performance.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Biosecurity (BIO)