National definitions and legal requirements for biosecurity on small-scale livestock farms in Europe
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Small-scale livestock farms play an important role in food security and are often associated with lower levels of biosecurity, thereby increasing the risk of disease introduction and spread, which compromises both animal and public health. Establishing a clear legal framework for biosecurity could help ensure the consistent adoption of preventive measures on these farms. However, little is known about how biosecurity is regulated for small-scale farms across Europe, and on how these farms are defined at national level. This study aimed to map the biosecurity measures that are mandated for small-scale pig, poultry and cattle farms by national legislation and to identify the criteria used to define small-scale farms. Species-specific questionnaires covering pre-listed biosecurity measures were distributed to national experts, and validated information was obtained from 19 European countries. The results showed considerable heterogeneity: most countries lack a clear definition of small-scale farms, with categorization most frequently based on the purpose of animal keeping rather than the number of animals. Biosecurity measures were mandated by national legislation for small-scale farms, but were rarely tailored to the production systems, instead being applied uniformly to all holdings of a given species. Furthermore, regular assessment of biosecurity implementation was mandatory in around half of the small-scale farm types. These findings highlight legislative gaps and inconsistencies that limit the ability to design proportionate, risk-based approaches for small-scale farms. More targeted policies are needed including clear definitions and adapted biosecurity requirements. Otherwise, small-scale farm types continue to be overlooked in Europe's biosecurity framework.
Source: Preventive Veterinary Medicine
Authors: Evelien Biebaut, Alessandra Piccirillo, Francesco Galuppo, Bojan Milovanović, Jasna Prodanov-Radulović, Arvo Viltrop, László Ózsvári, Carla Correia-Gomes, Marco De Nardi, Giulia Graziosi, Blerta Mehmedi, Rreze Gecaj, Branko Angjelovski, Aleksandar Dodovski, Siv Meling, Ingrid Toftaker, Artur Zbikowski, Alexandrina Sirbu, Stelian Bărăităreanu, Marko Pajić, Milan Ninković, Lubomira Gresakova, Monika Pogány Simonová, Marina Štukelj, Jože Starič, Karin Berggren, Bart H.P. van den Borne, Inge Santman-Berends, Naim Deniz Ayaz, Isabelle Corrégé, Alberto Allepuz, Ilias Chantziaras
Institutions: Ghent University, University of Padua, Scientific Institute for Veterinary Medicine of Serbia, Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", Estonian University of Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Health Ireland, University of Bologna, University of Prishtina, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, University of Pitesti, Constantin Brâncoveanu University, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Centre of Biosciences of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Animal Physiology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Royal GD (Netherlands), Kırıkkale University, Institut du Porc, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Language: English
Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,280
OpenAlex ID: W7138904808