Or…what to do with Poop in the Field?
Are you confused about what to do about animals on the farm and their poop in your field or orchard? There is a section of the Produce Safety Rule concerning domestic animals and wildlife. We’ve heard some farmers are concerned about being able to have their animals or dogs in their field and farm. This post will help you understand what the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requires and suggests and how to implement it on your farm. It will clarify what you need to do to comply and keep your produce safe. And you can still have your dogs in the field with you.
What the Rule States About Animals on the Farm?
The following is an excerpt from the FDA explanation about the ‘Domestic Animals and Wildlife’ portion of the Produce Safety Rule. Click HERE to read the full article.
- The rule addresses concerns about the feasibility of compliance for farms that rely on grazing animals (such as livestock) or working animals for various purposes. It establishes the same standards for these animals as it does for intrusion by wild animals (such as deer or feral swine). Farmers are required to take all measures reasonably necessary to identify and not harvest produce that is likely to be contaminated.
- At a minimum, this requires all covered farms to visually examine the growing area and all covered produce to be harvested, regardless of the harvest method used.
- In addition, under certain circumstances the rule requires farms to do additional assessment during the growing season, and if significant evidence of potential contamination by animals is found, to take measures reasonably necessary to assist later during harvest. Such measures might include, for example, placing flags outlining the affected area.
- Although the final rule does not require establishing waiting periods between grazing and harvest, the FDA encourages farmers to voluntarily consider applying such intervals as appropriate for the farm’s commodities and practices. The agency will consider providing guidance on this practice in the future, as needed.
- Farms are not required to exclude animals from outdoor growing areas, destroy animal habitat, or clear borders around growing or drainage areas. Nothing in the rule should be interpreted as requiring or encouraging such actions.
Can I have my dogs in the field?
In a short answer, yes. Dogs, or other domestic animals, are allowed in the field. The law does not prevent them. However, the key is when they are in the field and what you do when they contaminate the field or produce.
The rule is mostly concerned with harvest time, when produce is being handled, harvested and sold. It’s concerned with possible contamination by animal feces contaminating produce that will be sold and eaten.
What to do? Pay attention to where and when your dogs or other animals poop. If practical, avoid bringing the animals with you at harvest time. This will avoid any potential contamination. The rule does not prevent animals from the field, but requires diligence on the growers part to keep from harvesting any produce that has visible poop on it.
What about Wildlife?
Wildlife is another situation that you have to deal with when it comes to potential produce contamination. The easiest solution is to install wildlife deterrents. Items such as as fencing, netting, traps, reflector tape, etc. can help to deter wildlife from entering your field. But if those clever animals still get in, and we know they do, keep an eye out for feces or other damage and do not harvest that produce.
What to do about the animal ‘poop’?
With animals on the farm, there will be poop! When you do find poop in the field, there are a couple options you can choose.
- Create a ‘no-harvest buffer zone’. As the grower/supervisor, you choose the size diameter of the ‘zone’, based on your observations, but 4 feet is recommended. Once a size is determined, just flag and circle the area where the poop is located, and avoid harvesting produce in that circle. And be sure to record the incident in your book. We included the records you need in our Plan.
- Create a ‘Poop Removal Kit’. Simply remove the poop or scat with a shovel and bucket and dispose of in a dumpster away from the growing area. Make a kit that is used solely for removing poop. This kit includes a bucket, shovel, bags for the bucket and disposable gloves. Keep the kit in a convenient spot where everyone can find it. Label it with a bright color so it’s easily recognized and only used for the poop removal.
- Next, clean and sanitize. Clean and sanitize any tools used to remove the feces to avoid any cross-contamination. It can also be a good idea to have a designated set of coveralls or the like when working with animals or removing feces. This is not a requirement, but a practical solution.
Hopefully, this explanation about what to do about animals on the farm will help to clarify what the rule says and what to do. At the end of the day, take a practical, common sense attitude towards animals and their poop. And take the necessary action to prevent contamination on your produce. If you want more information on what is included in our Produce Safety Plan, check it out HERE. Or click below to go straight to the Buy the Plan page.
