Line of Separation

Introduction

Your farm’s enhanced biosecurity plan will include a Line of Separation” (LOS) section that describes the operational barrier separating the cleanest/highest biosecure area on the premises from the less clean areas of the Perimeter Buffer Area (PBA).

Poultry Operations: For poultry farms typically each individual poultry house is surrounded by its own LOS. These houses/areas exist within the Perimeter Buffer Area (PBA) which surrounds the entire operation, not including crop fields. Commonly, employees and visitors change into dedicated, farm-specific PPE (coveralls, boots) when crossing into the PBA from outside the farm. In addition, usually employees and visitors will use footwear disinfection and hand sanitation stations before crossing the LOS into a poultry house.

Dairy Operations: For dairy farms typically cows move from their housing to the milking barn 2-3 times per day. In addition, and manure is collected from free stalls and pens, transported and comingled at a lagoon or composting site. This constant movement of cows and manure makes it difficult, if not impossible, to have heightened biosecurity in housing areas surrounded by a LOS. In this case on a dairy the LOS may be the same as the limit of the PBA.

Premises Maps: In additional to the written description of how the LOS operates during daily operation and enhanced activation, maps must be provided that designate the location and extent of any LOS on the farm. It’s important to view the video tutorials in the Biosecurity Map section of this website to learn how to create a premises map and label its components including the LOS and PBS. Example maps are also included in the Biosecurity Plan template.

Click on the items below to view some potential language (written as blue text in boxes) to draw from as you develop your own daily or enhanced plan, specific for your own farm. Such example blue text is only a starting point and may not be appropriate for your farm or meet your state’s requirements.

This section will guide you through: