Secure Beef Supply & Biosecurity Resources for Cattle Producers

Implementing enhanced biosecurity plans will help prevent exposing cattle to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) during an outbreak. The Secure Beef Supply (SBS) Plan for Continuity of Business provides opportunities to voluntarily prepare before an outbreak. Click here to go to the SBS website for more resources on FMD and learn how to write an operation-specific, enhanced biosecurity plan.

If FMD is found in United States livestock, regulatory officials will limit the movement of animals and animal products to try controlling the spread of this very contagious animal disease.

Please be aware, FMD is not a public health or food safety concern. Meat and milk are safe to eat and drink.

The Secure Beef Supply Plan for Continuity of Business provides opportunities to voluntarily prepare before an outbreak. This will better position beef producers with cattle that have no evidence of infection to:

• Limit exposure of their animals through enhanced biosecurity.
  
• Move animals to processing or another premises under a movement permit issued by regulatory officials.
  
• Maintain business continuity for the beef industry, including producers, haulers, and packers during an FMD outbreak.
  

NCBA received a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) through the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) to develop and deliver educational and outreach materials about the SBS Plan to the U.S. cattle industry. Beef producers, veterinarians, transporters, and other industry professionals were involved to identify gaps in FMD preparedness and guide development of new learning material. The products of this grant will further industry collaboration, prevention, and preparedness of FMD and ensure broader awareness of all components of SBS Plan for Business Continuity.

For more biosecurity resources, including a daily biosecurity plan template, visit the BQA Biosecurity Resources page.