CSA TS-001:24 PDF

Preface 

This is the first edition of a CSA TS-001, Biosecurity for robotics in greenhouses. This Technical Specification is not a consensus product; that is, it is not a Standard and it has not been formally reviewed or approved by a CSA Technical Committee. This Technical Specification has been prepared and reviewed by the Development Committee on Biosecurity for Robotics in Greenhouses. 

Scope 

1.1 General 

To address the biosecurity risks unique to robots operating in the greenhouse, it is essential to establish comprehensive biosecurity measures and protocols specifically tailored to greenhouse robots. This Technical Specification (herein referred to as "this Document") takes into account the interactions between robots, plants, and people, as well as the potential pathways for pest and disease transmission within the greenhouse. This Document provides guidance that compliments CFIA’s National Voluntary Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard for the Greenhouse, Nursery and Floriculture Sectors, Greenhouse Vegetable Sector Biosecurity Guide, and Floriculture Sector Biosecurity Guide, Nursery Sector Biosecurity Guide and Canada Gap’s Food Safety Manual for Greenhouse Product. It should be used with consideration of these and other commodity-specific references, guidelines, and protocols available from provincial, trade associations, and certification bodies. This Document provides biosecurity measures for consideration with respect to the use of robots to help greenhouse operators achieve and maintain the pest risk mitigation goals identified in the target outcomes previously set in the CFIA’s National Voluntary Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard for the Greenhouse, Nursery and Floriculture Sectors. This Document provides additional assistance to greenhouse producers and operators for updating, revising, and adapting their existing/current biosecurity plans to recognize new and emerging biosecurity risks associated with the increasing adoption and use of robotics technology in the greenhouse. 

1.2 Intended users 

This Document is intended to be used by a) greenhouse operators; b) extension and advisory personnel; and c) greenhouse sector organizations.