Biosecurity project pbme system 2014

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The following definition of biosecurity has been adapted from FAO (2007):

Biosecurity is a strategic and integrated approach that encompasses the policy and regulatory frameworks (including instruments and activities) for analyzing and managing relevant risks to human, animal and plant life and health, and associated risks to the environment. Biosecurity covers food safety, zoonoses, the introduction of animal and plant diseases and pests, the introduction and release of living modified organisms (LMOs) and their products (e.g. genetically modified organisms or GMOs), and the introduction and management of invasive species. Thus biosecurity is a holistic concept of direct relevance to the sustainability of agriculture, and wide-ranging aspects of public health and protection of the environment, including biological diversity. 

In other words: Biosecurity is the protection of all sectors from all biological threats coming from all pathways into and within a country.

Biosafety defined as the “means to regulate, manage or control the risks associated with the use and release of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from biotechnology which are likely to have adverse environmental impacts that could affect the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account the risks to human health.”

(UNEP/CBD 1992) can be seen to fall under biosecurity.

Biosecurity issues are complex at the species, ecosystem and institutional level. Biosecurity cuts across sectors and is the responsibility of a diverse range of stakeholders, most of whom have worked in relative isolation in most countries including Cameroon.