What is the Secure Beef Supply Plan?

This article was first published in the Keystone Cattlemen's Magazine 

Biosecurity is the farm's first line of defense against disease. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has defined biosecurity as "a series of management practices designed to prevent the introduction or spread of disease agents on an animal production facility" (Center, 2013). Most producers are familiar with this topic and relate it to boot washing and the use of boot covers. In addition to this general definition and practice of biosecurity, the beef industry recognized the need for a stronger defense against foreign animal diseases. So, they worked together to create the Secure Beef Supply (SBS) Plan.

History

The history of the Secure Beef Supply Plan largely rests on that of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).  FMD is a disease that affects cattle and other cloven-footed animals. It usually causes small, fluid-filled blisters called vesicles on the tongue, nose, muzzle, dental pad, udders, and other areas of infected animals. It can be transmitted by aerosol, direct contact with infected animals and objects, ingestion of contaminated products such as milk, and artificial insemination with contaminated semen. However, FMD does not affect food safety, and it is not a public health risk. However, this does not diminish the harm that an FMD outbreak would cause. It is estimated that the 10-year cumulative losses from an outbreak would exceed $128 billion for the beef and pork industries alone. (Pudnez, 2021) The US eradicated FMD in 1929; however, the disease still exists in other countries. Due to international trade and travel, the reintroduction of FMD into the US is still a continuous threat.

If FMD were to reach the US again, state and federal officials would use the Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan (FAD PReP)—Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Response Plan: The Red Book. As stated in the plan, The Red Book "provides strategic guidance for responding to an animal health emergency caused by FMD in the United States" (USDA, 2020). The objectives of this plan are to identify the capabilities needed to respond to an FMD outbreak, the critical activities involved in responding, and the timeframes for these activities (USDA, 2020).

One of these activities would be a 24 to 72-hour National Movement Standstill for Livestock. This means that all movement of live cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, bison, elk, deer, semen, embryos, and oocytes would be halted nationwide. Livestock that are traveling before or during the standstill announcement have a 12-hour grace period to continue to their destination or return to their origin. After the standstill ends, there may be movement restrictions and control zones if farms are close to infected premises. During this time, two different permit types could be used by farmers. The first permit type would be issued to allow movements connected with stopping the disease outbreak. The second type would be continuity of business permits, which help to continue operations on farms within a control area that do not have FMD.

The Secure Beef Supply Plan was created by a collaboration of cattle producers, veterinarians, state and federal government officials, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Their goal was to create a plan that follows The Red Book's rules and helps individual cattle producers prepare to obtain the permits needed to continue moving cattle. Specifically, this plan helps producers maintain the continuity of business permits. The funding for the SBS Plan and website was provided by USDA APHIS VS National Preparedness and Incident Coordination (NPIC) Center and the USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program.

The Plan

The SBS Plan has 4 main components: enhanced biosecurity, traceability, disease monitoring, and personnel training. Each component helps protect the operation not only from FMD but also from other diseases. It also prepares the operation to apply for a continuity of business permit.

The first component is enhanced biosecurity, which means advancing daily biosecurity measures. The SBS plan assumes that operations already have some daily biosecurity measures in place, such as changing clothes and shoes before going out to the barn. Enhanced biosecurity takes it a step further by having farmers write a plan following SBS guidelines and checklists, and create a premises map. A premises map is an aerial map of a farmer's operation that shows roads, driveways, loading sites, and parking areas. This helps a farmer imagine how they would set up their farm in the event of an FMD outbreak.

The next component is traceability, which enables the USDA and other officials to trace infected animals back to their source to stop the spread. They do this by using the premises identification number (PIN). A PIN also helps the USDA easily alert producers near infected or high-risk areas so they can quickly implement enhanced biosecurity measures. These PINs will also be required during an outbreak for producers to move cattle, semen, or embryos. Producers can get a PIN free of charge from the state veterinarian’s office. Traceability also includes movement records, which can help producers demonstrate whether their farm had contact with infected premises.

Another component is disease monitoring, which producers should already be doing before an outbreak. However, disease monitoring involves observing the animals to ensure none appear abnormal or sick. Having the same person look at the cattle every day can be helpful, as they can recognize the cattle, making it easier for them to tell if an animal is "off". Producers should also record and report what they see, especially if they notice symptoms of FMD or other foreign animal diseases.

The last component of the SBS plan is personnel training, which encompasses all of the other components. Personnel can include anyone working or living on the operation, as during an outbreak, everyone must understand biosecurity and how to enter and exit the premises properly. Training should include general information about biosecurity and the reasons for the practice. Education about FMD, as well as the SBS plan, can help personnel see the whole picture and understand how important these practices are.

Even though SBS plans can seem over-the-top and overwhelming, they will be a necessary step in maintaining business during an FMD or any foreign animal disease outbreak. Procrastinating or denying the need for an SBS plan can put producers behind when an outbreak occurs. This is not only because they will be slow to obtain a permit, but also because biosecurity planning and awareness can be the only defense against these diseases.

Resources

Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. (2013). Biosecurity – Biosecurity Principles [PowerPoint slides]. USDA APHIS.

Pudenz, C. C., Mitchell, J. L., Schulz, L. L., & Tonsor, G. T. (2021). U.S. Cattle Producer Adoption of Secure Beef Supply Plan Enhanced Biosecurity Practices and Foot-and-Mouth Disease Preparedness. Frontiers in veterinary science, 8, 660857. doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.660857

SBS Secure Beef Supply. (2026). SBS Plan for Continuity of Business.

SBS Secure Beef Supply. (2024). What to Expect in a National Movement Standstill.

United States Department of Agriculture. (2020). The foreign animal disease preparedness and response plan (FAD PReP)—foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) response plan: the red book USDA.

WOAH Science Department. (2025). Foot and Mouth Disease World Organisation for Animal Health.