Biosecurity in Aquaponic Systems - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T10:40:24Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/biosecurity-in-aquaponic-systems?groupUrl=green-acre-aquaponics&commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A233449&groupId=4778851%3AGroup%3A231569&feed=yes&xn_auth=noGrowing up on a vegetable far…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-02-23:4778851:Comment:4410892013-02-23T23:40:12.085ZPeter B. Fogghttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/PeterBFogg
<p>Growing up on a vegetable farm I saw all kinds of creatures frequenting our fields, including birds flying overhead. Try to stop them! We suffered more from the chemicals we used than from any natural contamination.( If I'm not careful I'll get on my soapbox again). The food that we harvest from our growbeds and rafts is the cleanest I've ever experienced in a lifetime of farming. It tastes better and we are healthier. Isn't that the bottom line?</p>
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<p>Growing up on a vegetable farm I saw all kinds of creatures frequenting our fields, including birds flying overhead. Try to stop them! We suffered more from the chemicals we used than from any natural contamination.( If I'm not careful I'll get on my soapbox again). The food that we harvest from our growbeds and rafts is the cleanest I've ever experienced in a lifetime of farming. It tastes better and we are healthier. Isn't that the bottom line?</p>
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<p> </p> You just have to do your best…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-05:4778851:Comment:2734682012-01-05T23:29:11.709ZNate Storeyhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/NateStorey
<p>You just have to do your best to seal off your production and processing area, and if you're commercial, BUY LIABILITY INSURANCE.</p>
<p>You just have to do your best to seal off your production and processing area, and if you're commercial, BUY LIABILITY INSURANCE.</p> What would be the best pottin…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-11-06:4778851:Comment:2437242011-11-06T06:13:15.382ZDavid W. Russellhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DavidWRussell
<p>What would be the best potting material, in light of this discussion? And then the transfer process from seeding plant to the bed..</p>
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<p>What would be the best potting material, in light of this discussion? And then the transfer process from seeding plant to the bed..</p>
<p> </p> All you say is true Gina... a…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-11-04:4778851:Comment:2424042011-11-04T13:51:48.980ZRupertofOZhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RupertofOZ
<p>All you say is true Gina... and as such I don't believe they offer any level of bio-security.... nor any real control over entry of contaminants... from animals, pests or pesticides etc...</p>
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<p>Plus, by their nature... they're almost impossible to control environmentally....</p>
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<p>Factors that work against the bottom line of profitability... and commercialisation... in the long run...</p>
<p>All you say is true Gina... and as such I don't believe they offer any level of bio-security.... nor any real control over entry of contaminants... from animals, pests or pesticides etc...</p>
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<p>Plus, by their nature... they're almost impossible to control environmentally....</p>
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<p>Factors that work against the bottom line of profitability... and commercialisation... in the long run...</p> Hey Rupert! Seems like I hav…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-11-03:4778851:Comment:2420132011-11-03T15:45:57.039ZGina Cavalierohttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/GinaCavaliero
Hey Rupert! Seems like I haven't seen you in a while! <img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"></img> I agree on the greenhouse procedure. Those that have them can absolutely practice safe handling practices that involve all of the above, hand washing, boot wash, etc. However if we consider this from an industry wide perspective, we must consider outside exposed systems. Look at UVI and other commercial systems that are completely exposed to the great outdoors. I've seen systems with cats crawling all over the rafts and…
Hey Rupert! Seems like I haven't seen you in a while! <img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"/> I agree on the greenhouse procedure. Those that have them can absolutely practice safe handling practices that involve all of the above, hand washing, boot wash, etc. However if we consider this from an industry wide perspective, we must consider outside exposed systems. Look at UVI and other commercial systems that are completely exposed to the great outdoors. I've seen systems with cats crawling all over the rafts and poised above fish tanks staring at fish, dogs running around, even goats! Then surely there are little creatures that visit at night looking for a drink of water and that could be anything from squirrels, to possum, raccoon, and more. What say about these commercial installations? How can they ever offer the same level of bio security? Can we then conclude that these outdoor installations only have at best the same level of food safety as traditional soil grown crops in a field and exposed to the same potential mammalian visitors? Hmmmm? Agree :-)
RupertofOZ said:
I…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-11-03:4778851:Comment:2420062011-11-03T15:12:40.441ZSahib Punjabihttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SahibPunjabi
Agree :-)<br></br>
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<cite>RupertofOZ said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/biosecurity-in-aquaponic-systems?groupUrl=green-acre-organics&xg_source=activity#4778851Comment241598"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I tend to agree with Earl on this one.</p>
<p>It might seem a little over the top, but you'll find such practices are common place in commercial hydroponic operations, and many aquaculture operations.</p>
<p>If we're going to aim to promote…</p>
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</blockquote>
Agree :-)<br/>
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<cite>RupertofOZ said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/biosecurity-in-aquaponic-systems?groupUrl=green-acre-organics&xg_source=activity#4778851Comment241598"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I tend to agree with Earl on this one.</p>
<p>It might seem a little over the top, but you'll find such practices are common place in commercial hydroponic operations, and many aquaculture operations.</p>
<p>If we're going to aim to promote aquaponics on the basis of "purity" by it's organic nature and growth methods, then we should aim to adopt best practices from the start, particularly in a "commercial" context.</p>
<p>Other often forgotten practices that are rarely considered are</p>
<ul>
<li> a complete ban on smoking</li>
<li>washing of hands for anyone that does smoke before handling of any plants</li>
<li>washing of hands after handling any diseased plants</li>
<li>washing of hands after handling any "potting" mixes</li>
<li>immediate removal and disposal of any diseased plant stocks</li>
<li>immediate removal and disposal of any harvest remnants/prunings etc</li>
</ul>
<p>Most of the above relate to potential transmissions of mosaic viruses in particular, and/or other possible pathogens/contaminants, particularly those that might be contained in potting mixes.</p>
<p>I'd also advocate having a totally seperate area for</p>
<ul>
<li>Seeding/potting</li>
<li>Produce washing/processing</li>
<li>Feed storage</li>
</ul>
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</div>
</blockquote> I tend to agree with Earl on…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-11-03:4778851:Comment:2415982011-11-03T13:14:27.727ZRupertofOZhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RupertofOZ
<p>I tend to agree with Earl on this one.</p>
<p>It might seem a little over the top, but you'll find such practices are common place in commercial hydroponic operations, and many aquaculture operations.</p>
<p>If we're going to aim to promote aquaponics on the basis of "purity" by it's organic nature and growth methods, then we should aim to adopt best practices from the start, particularly in a "commercial" context.</p>
<p>Other often forgotten practices that are rarely considered…</p>
<p>I tend to agree with Earl on this one.</p>
<p>It might seem a little over the top, but you'll find such practices are common place in commercial hydroponic operations, and many aquaculture operations.</p>
<p>If we're going to aim to promote aquaponics on the basis of "purity" by it's organic nature and growth methods, then we should aim to adopt best practices from the start, particularly in a "commercial" context.</p>
<p>Other often forgotten practices that are rarely considered are</p>
<ul>
<li> a complete ban on smoking</li>
<li>washing of hands for anyone that does smoke before handling of any plants</li>
<li>washing of hands after handling any diseased plants</li>
<li>washing of hands after handling any "potting" mixes</li>
<li>immediate removal and disposal of any diseased plant stocks</li>
<li>immediate removal and disposal of any harvest remnants/prunings etc</li>
</ul>
<p>Most of the above relate to potential transmissions of mosaic viruses in particular, and/or other possible pathogens/contaminants, particularly those that might be contained in potting mixes.</p>
<p>I'd also advocate having a totally seperate area for</p>
<ul>
<li>Seeding/potting</li>
<li>Produce washing/processing</li>
<li>Feed storage</li>
</ul>
My take on this is I agree…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-10-29:4778851:Comment:2398172011-10-29T20:54:59.567ZEarl wardhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Earlward
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<p>My take on this is I agree with Dr.Racocy in a greenhouse wash hands, clean outside clothing, I would also consider a boot wash inside the greenhouse, mainly for plant health . Keep animals out of the growing area (except the fish). The water should be from safe source meeting EPA drinking water standards.</p>
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<p>My take on this is I agree with Dr.Racocy in a greenhouse wash hands, clean outside clothing, I would also consider a boot wash inside the greenhouse, mainly for plant health . Keep animals out of the growing area (except the fish). The water should be from safe source meeting EPA drinking water standards.</p> Aloha Gina
I got wore out wit…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-10-24:4778851:Comment:2371072011-10-24T03:31:03.498ZRaychel A Watkinshttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RaychelAWatkins
<p>Aloha Gina</p>
<p>I got wore out with the conversation on how we would test for all the possible things. I still think that is impossible and improbable. The things that Rob and Miguel have said here make a lot of sense. I work in a clinical laboratory doing microbiology and other laboratory work. We deal with the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">E coli</span> and the other food borne bugs all the time. Number one the optimum temp for these organisms to grow is 35 to 38 c so…</p>
<p>Aloha Gina</p>
<p>I got wore out with the conversation on how we would test for all the possible things. I still think that is impossible and improbable. The things that Rob and Miguel have said here make a lot of sense. I work in a clinical laboratory doing microbiology and other laboratory work. We deal with the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">E coli</span> and the other food borne bugs all the time. Number one the optimum temp for these organisms to grow is 35 to 38 c so which is body temp. They are not flourishing in our water. As the guys mentioned the main source of these organisms is the fecal oral route. Good hygiene is the only method that will keep these out of the systems. I taught a course in Microbiology at the Univwersity of NE at Omaha to potential nurses. When all the antimicrobial stuff came out I went out and bought 20 or so different bottels of antibacterial soaps and cleaners. I asked the class what they thought this would do to the bugs out there. All they do is not kill the really bad guys and then we can not kill them when they invade our body. But good food saftey practices is the answer to keeping our food safe. Look at all the farmers in America and across the world. How many outbreaks do you find. Not that many compared to the number of farmers out there. If you look at the cause of the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Listeria</span> in the cantalopes it was do to dirty machines. Bad food safety practices. We have to be vigilant but not insane. . </p>
<p>It doesn't seem like Dr Rakocy was too concerned about it. He just suggested good food safety practices. Wash your hands before you touch anything on your system, I vote for him</p> LOL Rob, you are too funny! …tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-10-18:4778851:Comment:2337602011-10-18T01:21:32.121ZGina Cavalierohttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/GinaCavaliero
<p>LOL Rob, you are too funny! I have to agree with you, it is like the hype surrounding antibacterial. It reduces immunity and resistance. If just healthy in general, I assume a system much like a body will boast better resistance. </p>
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<p>Miguel, great point about E.Coli verses Salmonella. I too think water borne illnesses probably pose a greater threat. I don't know about those raccoons though. I've seen them do some pretty nifty tricks! </p>
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<p>LOL Rob, you are too funny! I have to agree with you, it is like the hype surrounding antibacterial. It reduces immunity and resistance. If just healthy in general, I assume a system much like a body will boast better resistance. </p>
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<p>Miguel, great point about E.Coli verses Salmonella. I too think water borne illnesses probably pose a greater threat. I don't know about those raccoons though. I've seen them do some pretty nifty tricks! </p>
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