1. Purpose
This policy establishes Murzo Group’s approach to biosecurity, pest control, and disease management in relation to insect-related activities, including the design, development, operation, or support of insect farming and processing environments.
The purpose of this policy is to:
- Reduce the risk of pest introduction, disease spread, and biological contamination
- Support responsible insect rearing and handling practices
- Protect human health, animal health, and the environment
- Provide a defensible framework for managing foreseeable biological risks
This policy forms part of Murzo Group’s wider governance, risk, and environmental management framework.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- Insect farming and rearing environments
- Facilities designed, operated, or advised on by Murzo Group
- Processing, storage, and handling areas associated with insects
- Waste handling and disposal related to insect operations
- Employees, contractors, and authorised third parties
It applies globally and irrespective of jurisdiction.
3. Guiding Biosecurity Principles
Murzo Group’s biosecurity approach is guided by the following principles:
- Prevention: Avoiding introduction of pests and disease where reasonably practicable
- Containment: Preventing escape or spread beyond controlled environments
- Segregation: Physical and procedural separation of risk areas
- Traceability: Ability to identify and isolate affected inputs or batches
- Proportionality: Controls appropriate to scale, species, and risk profile
Murzo Group does not guarantee elimination of all biological risk.
4. Facility Design & Physical Controls
Where Murzo Group designs or advises on facilities, biosecurity considerations may include:
- Controlled access points
- Zoning of clean and non-clean areas
- One-directional material and personnel flow
- Physical barriers to prevent insect escape
- Surfaces and materials suitable for cleaning and disinfection
Final responsibility for implementation rests with the facility operator.
5. Pest Control
Murzo Group recognises that insect facilities may be vulnerable to:
- Rodents
- Wild insects
- Birds
- Microbial contamination
Reasonable pest control measures may include:
- Monitoring and inspection regimes
- Physical exclusion methods
- Approved pest control services
- Documentation of pest control activities
Chemical pest control must be appropriate for food or feed environments where applicable.
6. Disease Prevention & Monitoring
Murzo Group supports disease prevention through:
- Species-appropriate stocking densities
- Environmental controls (temperature, humidity, ventilation)
- Monitoring for abnormal mortality or behaviour
- Segregation or quarantine of affected populations
Murzo Group does not provide veterinary or biological health guarantees.
7. Substrate, Inputs & Feedstock Controls
Biosecurity risks associated with substrates and inputs are recognised.
Where applicable:
- Only authorised or suitable substrates should be used
- Inputs should be sourced from verified suppliers
- Incoming materials may be inspected or documented
- High-risk materials should be excluded
Detailed substrate requirements are addressed in Murzo Group’s Substrate & Feedstock Compliance Policy.
8. Personnel Hygiene & Access
Where Murzo Group has operational involvement, reasonable measures may include:
- Controlled staff and visitor access
- Use of protective clothing where appropriate
- Hand hygiene and equipment sanitation
- Restriction of unauthorised entry
Murzo Group is not responsible for failures of hygiene practices beyond its reasonable control.
9. Waste Handling & Disposal
Waste materials may include:
- Insect by-products
- Dead insects
- Contaminated substrates
- Packaging and consumables
Waste should be:
- Segregated appropriately
- Stored securely
- Removed or treated by authorised operators
Disposal must comply with applicable waste and animal by-product regulations.
10. Incident Response & Containment
In the event of suspected pest infestation, disease outbreak, or containment failure:
- Reasonable steps should be taken to limit spread
- Affected areas or batches may be isolated
- Relevant parties may be notified where required
Murzo Group does not assume responsibility for regulatory reporting obligations unless contractually agreed.
11. Third Parties & Contractors
Third parties engaged in insect operations:
- Remain responsible for their own biosecurity compliance
- Must not introduce unmanaged risk into facilities
- May be subject to access restrictions
Murzo Group does not assume liability for third-party actions or omissions.
12. Training & Awareness
Where appropriate, Murzo Group may:
- Provide guidance on biosecurity principles
- Recommend training for relevant personnel
Training provision does not transfer operational responsibility to Murzo Group.
13. Monitoring & Review
Biosecurity measures may be reviewed:
- Periodically
- Following incidents
- When operational conditions change
Murzo Group does not commit to continuous monitoring unless contractually required.
14. Legal Position & Limitations
This policy does not constitute a warranty or guarantee of biosecurity outcomes, does not replace statutory obligations of operators, does not create contractual obligations unless expressly incorporated, and does not eliminate inherent biological risks.
Nothing in this policy excludes liability that cannot be lawfully excluded.
