Standdown time, also referred to as downtime or an animal avoidance period, is a biosecurity measure requiring individuals who have had contact with one species of livestock to avoid contact with other susceptible species for a defined period (typically 24–72 hours). This measure was introduced to reduce the risk of indirect pathogen transmission via humans, particularly in intensive poultry and pig production systems. Despite its widespread inclusion in farm protocols and legislation, the scientific evidence supporting downtime as an effective measure remains limited and contested.
