What is it?

The Biosecurity Outreach Program (BOP) is a new initiative that we have developed here at the Poultry Industry Council (PIC). The main goal of the BOP is simple: It is to encourage relaxed and informal discussions on biosecurity by all poultry producers and keepers of poultry across Ontario.

Why?

The concept of biosecurity has been around for quite some time. Its definition varies depending on who you talk to and the circumstances under which it is discussed. Currently, it is most widely understood as being a set of preventative measures put in place to prevent the introduction and spread of disease and disease-causing organisms on to farms. But you may have your own definition, your own thoughts, practices and methods, and we want you to share your thoughts with your neighbours and peers!

How?

Beginning in May and continuing throughout this year, we will be holding small group discussions or Self-Directed Learning Groups, of 5-10 producers, twice monthly at various locations across Ontario.

The intent is to build conversations, relationships and ideas based on questions similar to these:

§  How does biosecurity affect your production system?

§  What works?

§  What doesn’t?

§  Can biosecurity be profitable?

§  What are the key practices that can increase the effectiveness of on-farm programs?

The workshop process began with the development of informative program materials in various forms.

§  BOP calendars - unique in that they start and end in the month of April. This was specifically designed to be attractive and convenient to the producers frequenting events in April such as the London Poultry Show.  Each month is titled with an attractive biosecurity phrase and complimented with three (3) biosecurity check-points for producers. Both the colour and format were chosen to remain consistent with current CFIA and OMAFRA biosecurity materials for ease of recognition by the target audience.

§  Small and commercial flock brochures - developed in an effort to disseminate BOP-related information through feather boards, various clubs and associations, shows, fairs and auctions. Information included descriptions of the purposes of the program and the dates and locations of spring meetings.

§  National Standard Fact Sheets - one page in its entirety, gives a synopsis of the key points and information available to producers in the National Avian On-Farm Biosecurity Standards (NAOFBS). The format was designed in a way not only for quick reference to key information within the standards but also as an incentive to encourage producers to seek more detailed reading within the standard.

§  Banners - depicting events, education and research were developed for marketing the BOP program at the many events held by PIC and to which PIC was invited throughout the season.

§  Articles - written for the Canadian Poultry Magazine (CPM), the Feather Fancier Newsletter as well as theCanadian Racing Pigeon Union (CPRU). These included general details of the ways in which to apply to and components of the spring and fall Growing Forward workshops as well as details on BOP.

§  Advertisements - developed for the Feather Fancier Newsletter as well as the Canadian Racing Pigeon Union for the purposes of providing information on dates and locations of BOP meetings as well as the Growing Forwardworkshops.

To date, there has been a total of five (5) kitchen table discussions held at key locations across Ontario: Guelph, Paris, Sarnia, Simcoe, and St. Catharine’s as recommended by small/exhibition flock owners as “hubs” for small/exhibition flock owners.

The advertisements and articles developed for the Feather Fancier Newsletter reach a captive audience that spans well over 1200 small/exhibition flock owners across the province. Similarly, the Canadian Racing Pigeon Union (CRPU), an organization well respected by its over 800 members and regional combines, has disseminated BOP brochures and calendars to many of its subscribing audience.

The response to the BOP and Growing Forward from these efforts has been extremely positive.

There are no prerequisites for these discussion groups. You do not need to be knowledgeable in or even be practicing on-farm biosecurity to participate. In fact we recognize that there are and will be some who have never heard of the term. But if you have even a remote interest or curiosity this program is definitely for you!

You:

The time is now! And informal discussions are a start to increasing awareness, developing ideas, building relationships and achieving significant goals.

Since this is indeed a wide audience to make contact with, we are asking agricultural organizations, feedmills, clubs and associations etc. for help in the process.

We would like you to help in spreading the word. Let your members know, inform producers on your mailing lists that this outreach is about them and for them-

There is a common good in the practice of biosecurity and this initiative is about bringing it to everyone’s community!

Thank you for your help and participation!

We at PIC appreciate your continued support!