Visitor Policies

Biosecurity

Prevent disease from coming on your farm. Farm at sunrise When visitors check in, ask if they've had recent contact with animals in the United States and abroad. Prohibit any visitor from entering the operation if they have been outside the continental United States during the past two weeks, unless they can assure you that they have not been in close proximity to animals, especially hoofed animals, within the past five days.

Contractors who routinely visit animal operations should always take biosecurity precautions. Ask what precautions they take and observe them.

As part of your visitor policy, consider requiring all visitors, including service personnel, to wear disposable or clean, washable boots, especially if they will enter animal areas. In some cases, disinfectant foot baths should also be required. Disposable, non-slip shoe covers (boots) cost as little as a dollar a pair, and can save your business. Disposable boots should be discarded on your farm after use. Washable boots should be scrubbed to remove all organic material before leaving your facility. Other sanitary measures should be stated in your visitor policy and can be as simple as requiring the use of hand sanitizers, or as restrictive as shower in, shower out policies.