How to Use This Checklist
Review this checklist at the start of each day and run through the per-entry items for every vehicle or visitor that arrives. The weekly items are maintenance tasks that keep your gate system functional and your records complete.
For a printed, laminated version with your farm's specific procedures built in, the FMD Farm Defense Kit includes ready-to-deploy gate protocol cards and daily checklists.
Important: This checklist provides general best-practice guidance. During active disease outbreaks or in controlled areas, your State Veterinarian's specific protocols take precedence over any general guidance here.
Start-of-Day Gate Checks
- Gate is closed and secured; all entry must pass through the control point
- Visitor register is at the gate (not in the farm office)
- Footbath is in position and filled with fresh disinfectant solution
- Spray equipment (pump or sprayer) is functional and filled
- Disinfectant supply is adequate for the day's expected vehicle traffic
- Gate signage is visible, undamaged, and readable from the road
- PPE available for visitors entering animal contact zones (gloves, overalls if required)
Per-Entry: Every Vehicle Arrival
- Stop vehicle before the entry point — do not admit until steps below are completed
- Record vehicle registration number, driver name, and purpose of visit in the register
- Ask: has this vehicle been on another livestock property in the past 48 hours?
- Spray or drive through tyres and wheel arches with disinfectant
- Spray undercarriage if vehicle has been on another farm or in a high-risk area
- Allow minimum 2-minute dwell time before vehicle proceeds into the property
- Record disinfection as completed in the visitor/vehicle register
Per-Entry: Every Person Arrival
- Visitor name, ID or driver's licence number, and contact details recorded in register
- Organisation or employer recorded (especially contractors and delivery personnel)
- Entry time recorded
- Purpose and area of access confirmed (office only vs animal contact zones)
- Visitor has passed through footbath or had footwear sprayed
- Visitor briefed on biosecurity expectations for their access level
- If visitor has been on another livestock farm recently — restrict to perimeter/office areas unless operationally essential
Per-Entry: Contractors and Delivery Personnel
- Equipment and tools inspected — log make, type, and whether disinfected
- Feed and bedding deliveries: check supplier and origin documentation
- Feed delivery vehicles must be disinfected regardless of apparent cleanliness
- Contractor has signed or verbally acknowledged the farm's biosecurity requirements
- Contractor access is limited to required areas only — no unrestricted movement
On Departure: Every Person and Vehicle
- Exit time recorded in the visitor register
- Any livestock contact, incidents, or observations noted in the register
- PPE collected and disposed of or decontaminated if applicable
Weekly Gate Maintenance
- Review the visitor register for gaps, missing fields, or incomplete entries
- Photograph or digitally back up the week's register pages
- Check disinfectant stock and reorder before levels become critical
- Inspect gate signage for weather damage, fading, or vandalism
- Inspect sprayer seals, pump function, and hose connections
- Confirm footbath tray is clean and free of visible organic material accumulation
- Check that gate locking mechanism is functional
Footbath Maintenance Notes
A footbath that appears clean may still be ineffective. Disinfectants are inactivated by organic matter — even small amounts of mud or manure in the solution significantly reduce efficacy.
- Replace solution whenever visibly cloudy, discoloured, or after heavy use
- Common footbath disinfectants: citric acid (2%), sodium hypochlorite (0.2–0.5%), or veterinary-approved iodophor products
- Consult your State Veterinarian or disinfectant supplier for current product recommendations during high-risk periods
- Do not mix disinfectant types — it can deactivate both
- Ensure the tray is deep enough to cover the sole and lower sides of footwear
Gate Record-Keeping Requirements
During a disease investigation, authorities will ask for your visitor and vehicle records. Incomplete or missing records can significantly extend movement restrictions and complicate tracing efforts for your farm.
Keep physical registers at the gate for a minimum of 6 months. During declared controlled area periods, check with your State Veterinarian whether longer retention is required.
Want a printed, gate-ready version of this checklist? The FMD Farm Defense Kit includes lamination-ready gate protocol cards, vehicle disinfection logs, and visitor registers that are ready to deploy from the moment you print them.
Also see: Vehicle & Equipment Disinfection Protocol | Visitor & Contractor Control Register Guide | FMD Biosecurity in South Africa
