The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Equine Canada, and its equine sector organizations, has developed a National Farm and Facility Level Biosecurity Standard for the Equine Sector. 

This new guidance document can be used by horse owners and custodians as a cost-effective way to limit the risk of a disease outbreak on farms and other facilities where horses are kept.

Funding to develop this standard has been provided under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Growing Forward 2 Agricultural Policy Framework. It can be adopted in its entirety or can supplement existing on-farm biosecurity programs as it provides:

• Guidance on effective biosecurity practices to minimize the transmission of diseases;
• Ways to reduce the frequency, scope, and impact of disease outbreaks; and
• Multiple methods to enhance horse health, welfare, and productivity.

"Representing Equine Canada, I am pleased to have supported CFIA in the development of this national standard, participating as co-chair, and working with a knowledgeable and dedicated committee with organizational and regional diversity,” said Dr. Mary Bell, Equine Canada representative and co-chair of the Equine Biosecurity Advisory Committee 2016. “The biosecurity standard … provides a reference useful to all equine facilities and activities. The goal is to improve and ensure the health of Canadian horses