USDA Releases Pre-Harvest Security Guidelines

August 9, 2006 — 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released Pre-Harvest Security Guidelines and Checklist 2006 which provides general guidelines for evaluating farm and livestock facility security.

While conspicuously ignoring swine facilities, the document does provide a resource for assessing livestock facilities in general and proposes some basic tips to consider with regards to strengthening farm-level security. According to USDA, the guidelines are designed to help the agricultural producer reduce security risks at the farm level.

The document covers a number of general topics such as general security, awareness, planning, barriers, community, inventory control, law enforcement, lighting, locks, signage, training and visitors and personnel. In addition, specific guidelines for dairies, cattle ranches, poultry facilities and croplands are included as well along with a list of resources.

The guidelines are available online at the USDA website.

Source: USDA