Farmed Animals

Biosecurity and Livestock Welfare

Effective biosecurity protects livestock from disease and directly supports animal welfare by reducing infectious disease burden.

Key Facts

Biosecurity failures can lead to rapid spread of diseases like foot and mouth and avian flu
Quarantine protocols protect resident animals from introduced disease
Vehicle disinfection, footbaths, and visitor control reduce disease introduction
Vaccination is part of a comprehensive biosecurity strategy
Disease prevention is more cost-effective and welfare-friendly than treatment

Welfare Considerations

Biosecurity measures protect the welfare of livestock by preventing the introduction and spread of infectious diseases that cause pain, debilitation, and death. Effective biosecurity includes quarantine of new animals, disinfection of vehicles and equipment, vaccination programs, and monitoring of disease indicators. Prevention is always preferable to treatment from both a welfare and economic perspective.

What You Can Do

Support farms that demonstrate robust biosecurity practices
Advocate for biosecurity training as part of farm certification requirements
Raise awareness about the link between biosecurity and animal welfare
Support livestock disease surveillance and early warning systems
Choose assured products from farms with documented biosecurity standards