Ministry of Agriculture

Before the visit:

• Pre-plan your visit
• Contact the farm in advance, know their concerns
• Know the nature of the facility
• Be aware of the important pests and diseases of the crops grown on the farm
• Visit farms with unique pest problems last
• If you observe pest or disease pressure in a farm, avoid same-day visits to similar farms
• Wear dark blue, green or brown coloured clothing which are less attractive to insects

During the visit:

• Always carry a “Biosecurity Supply Kit”
  • Disposal overalls/sani-suits
  • Booties
  • Gloves
  • Disinfectants (see below)
  • Paper towels
  • Disposal bags
  • Spray-bottles
  • Spare clothing and foot ware
• Follow appropriate biosecurity procedures during farm visit
• Avoid carrying mud or plant debris on your vehicle when entering a farm
• Park at designated parking areas, if not on paved or gravel surfaces
• Avoid contact with plant materials that may harbour plant pathogens and pests
• Follow good sanitation practices
  • Sanitize hands
  • Use foot-bath
  • Wear protective clothing (if necessary)
• Use effective and appropriate disinfectants (concentration and exposure time varies)
  • For hands – antimicrobial hand soap (e.g. Onestep, Wet Ones)
  • For shoes, etc. – Virkon (1-2%), Chemprocide (15ml/litre), household bleach (10%)
  • For tires – Virkon (1-2%), Chemprocide (15ml/litre), household bleach (10%)

End of the visit:

• Properly secure plant samples in sealed bags
• If necessary, wash/disinfect tires, mud flaps, etc. of your vehicle when leaving
• Place all waste materials (disposal suits, plant waste, etc.) in disposal bags and dispose of them properly
• Make sure you have followed proper sanitation practices
• Check to see you and your vehicle are free of soil and plant debris
• Keep a record of your visit
• Most importantly, if you’ve encountered a farm with pest or disease problems, phone ahead to your next client and discuss the situation

Submit your samples for pest and disease diagnosis to:

Plant Diagnostic Laboratory
B.C. Ministry of Agriculture
Abbotsford Agriculture Centre
1767 Angus Campbell Road
Abbotsford B.C. V3G 2M3
Tel: 604-556-3126 (direct) or 1-800-661-9903 (main office)
Fax: 604-556-3154

Please contact us or visit our website for details on submitting samples and diagnostic fees.

Useful References

• B.C. Ministry of Agriculture
• Food Safety and Plant Health Branch
• Infobasket
• Weeds
• Invasive Species
• Invasive Alien Species in Canada
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
• Pest Management Regulatory Agency
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
• United States Department of Agriculture
• American Phytopathological Society
• Disinfection and Sanitation Practices

Prepared by Siva Sabaratnam,
Plant Pathologist,
Food Safety and Plant Health Branch,
Plant Health Unit,
B.C. Ministry of Agriculture

July 2008