Biosecurity in the field
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
- Arrive at the site with clean footwear and vehicle.
- Ensure footwear is clean (visually from soil and debris) before leaving the site.
- Ensure vehicle is kept clean - in particular remove any accumulated mud before leaving the site.
- Make use of facilties provided on the site to clean footwear/equipment.
- Keep access to a minimum.
- If practical do not take vehicles onto premises, keep to established tracks and park vehicles on hard standing.
- Where possible avoid areas of livestock and areas with known plant disease.
- Plan visits so that the most risky visit is the last one of the day.
Useful resources
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.
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:
Animal diseases:
Fish diseases:
- 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)
- 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
Animal diseases:
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 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)
- 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 Support Pack (PDF) - developed by the Cumbria Freshwater Invasive Non-Native Species Initiative
- Scottish Event Biosecurity Support Guide (PDF) and Biosecurity Risk Assessment (PDF)