Biosecurity means taking steps to make sure that good hygiene practices are in place to reduce and minimise the risk of spreading invasive non-native species.  A good biosecurity routine is always essential, even if invasive non-native species are not always apparent.

Biosecurity should be considered at the earliest stage when planning any field work, from surveying an area to removing non-native species. Some biosecurity measures can be as simple and as quick as making sure footwear is clean.

Basic Biosecurity Advice for biological surveyors in the field

1. Arrive at the site with clean footwear and vehicle.
2. Ensure footwear is clean (visually from soil and debris) before leaving the site.
3. Ensure vehicle is kept clean - in particular remove any accumulated mud before leaving the site.
4. Make use of facilties provided on the site to clean footwear/equipment.
5. Keep access to a minimum.
6. If practical do not take vehicles onto premises, keep to established tracks and park vehicles on hard standing.
7. Where possible avoid areas of livestock and areas with known plant disease.
8. Plan visits so that the most risky visit is the last one of the day.

Online biosecurity training

Take free e-learning to improve your understanding of biosecurity. Participants can take a test to check their knowledge and download a certificate once they have passed.

Other resources

The links below provide different examples of specific biosecurity guidance. There are also safety data sheets, which can be used as a guide if using Virkon or sanitising spray.

General field biosecurity:

• Biosecurity Guidance for Biological Surveyors/samplers (Draft) (PDF) - A Good Practice Guide to minimising the risk of moving non-native species, parasites and diseases
• Biosecurity Guidance for Scotland's Environmental and Rural Services (PDF) (SEARS) Staff (Scottish Goverment)
• Biosecurity risk assessment (PDF) and water body worked example (PDF)

Aquatic biosecurity:

• Biosecurity for Anglers (PDF)
• Biosecurity for Boat Users (PDF)
• Biosecurity for Submerged Structures (PDF)
• Biosecurity and Natural Flood Management (PDF)
• Report on Biosecurity for Anglers (PDF) - Stuart Crofts

Marine biosecurity:

• Marine Pathways Project

Animal diseases:

• Biosecurity guidance to prevent the spread of animal diseases (PDF) (Defra)

Fish diseases:

• Guide to protecting fresh water fish stocks from Gryodactylosis and other serious fish diseases (PDF)
• Code of Practice to Avoid the Introduction of Gyrodactylus salaris to GB (PDF)

Amphibian diseases:

• Amphibian Disease Precautions: A guide for UK fieldworkers (PDF) (ARG-UK Advice note 4)
• Hygiene protocol to contain the spread of Chytridiomycosis during fieldwork (PDF) (RACE - Risk assessment of Chytridiomycosis to European Amphibian Biodiversity)

Disinfection:

• A Guide to the Disinfection of Angling Equipment (PDF) (Cefas)
• Boot Disinfection Procedures when using Antec Virkon S (PDF) (Natural England)
• Safety Data Sheet - Cleankill sanitising spray (PDF)
• Safety Data Sheet - Virkon® -S Powder (PDF)
• Safety data Sheet - Virkon® Tablet (PDF)

Event biosecurity:

• Event Biosecurity Support Pack (PDF) - developed by the Cumbria Freshwater Invasive Non-Native Species Initiative
• Scottish Event Biosecurity Support Guide (PDF) and Biosecurity Risk Assessment (PDF)