HARRISBURG, Pa. — PennAg Industries Association and Sunoco Logistics announced a partnership to develop a biosecurity training and education module aimed at raising awareness on the basics of farm safety and etiquette.
Biosecurity is the prevention of disease from spreading to or from areas occupied by livestock.
The biosecurity module, which will be provided free of charge and available on PennAg’s website, will educate users on the necessary steps that must be taken to protect animals and crops when working on or near a farm, ranch or other agribusiness.
With the rapid growth of the nation’s energy industry, including development of pipelines and other infrastructure, biosecurity is an increasingly relevant topic in the agriculture community.
Critical issue
“Biosecurity has become a critical issue for the agriculture industry across Pennsylvania and nationally,” said Christian Herr, executive vice president, PennAg.
“With the rapid growth of our nation’s energy industry, along with increased investments in our nation’s road infrastructure and other industries impacting agriculture land, it is imperative that biosecurity is front and center to protect our nation’s livestock and crops.”
Pilot test
The biosecurity training module will be tested in late Fall 2016 as Sunoco Logistics employees, contractors and vendors take the course as part of their safety training for the Mariner East 2 pipeline project.
Beginning in January 2017, the module will be made widely available during the Pennsylvania Farm Show, Herr said.
Following its launch in January 2017, energy industry companies and other organizations and companies that work on or near farms will be encouraged to take the training module.
