Control Practices for Safeguarding Agricultural and Environmental Biosecurity Before Entry Points

Abstract

Biosecurity, in the context of agriculture and natural ecosystems, refers to a strategic framework of policies and procedures intended to prevent the introduction or release of biological agents and materials that have the potential to threaten or compromise the agricultural sector in the form of invasive species, exotic pathogens, and foreign pests. Exchange of plants, animals, and agricultural products along with wood packaging material and dunnage that are transported through commerce and trade can lead to accidental introductions of foreign pathogens and pests unless sound biosecurity protocols are implemented to ensure the quality and safety of imported commodities at the local, transboundary, and global levels. Principal stakeholders at risk are those with interests in food, feed, fiber, oil, ornamental, and industrial crops; commercial forestry, natural ecosystems, and parks; and the livestock, poultry, aquaculture, fisheries, and apiculture industries.