Integrated Biosecurity Index self-assessment tool for agrifood systems

The Integrated Biosecurity Index self-assessment tool for agrifood systems (IBI-SAT) is for governments to see the full biosecurity picture in agrifood systems. The tool was developed by FAO with the Adu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA).  

The IBI-SAT allows countries to determine how well their biosecurity systems can manage biosecurity risks across seven domains: animal health, plant health, forestry health, aquatic health, food safety, environment and biodefense.

How does the IBI-SAT work?  

The IBI-SAT features 148 integrated indicators based on normative standards organized into seven core biosecurity principles and 22 key criteria. Up to five knowledgeable technical experts per sector assess the relevant indicators using a five-point scoring system, providing evidence to support their ratings where needed. 

The IBI-SAT includes a unique feature under its Mode 1, where it measures scoring consistency among experts through its inter-rater reliability. The longitudinal monitoring capacity of Mode 2 offers countries a means to track biosecurity progress over time through repeated assessments. The tool also allows for customizable weighting of domains to tailor relevance according to each country’s specific context. The results of the IBI-SAT are presented as a dashboard as part of the tool to highlight sector-specific and integrated biosecurity outcomes.  

The IBI-SAT is currently available as an excel spreadsheet, with plans to launch an online version. The IBI-SAT can be completed through a facilitated self-assessment process or independently. Online training will be available through FAO’s Virtual Learning Centre to support the use of the tool.    

Why should countries complete the IBI-SAT?  

The IBI-SAT promotes strengthened integrated national biosecurity systems: 

• Provides countries with a comprehensive, evidence-based overview of their biosecurity strengths and vulnerabilities across all sectors 
  
• Integrates the results from other relevant sector-specific assessments
  
• Supports governments to identify the most important gaps in the biosecurity system, inform the development of new policies and strategies, prioritize necessary actions, and support resource mobilization
  
• Promotes the sectors to work together in ways that they would not otherwise
  
• Creates a network of coordinated sectoral defenses.