Australian National Farm Biosecurity Manual: Poultry Production/Poultry Production Biosecurity
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Objectives
- to prevent the introduction of infectious disease agents to poultry,
- to prevent the spread of disease agents from an infected area to an uninfected area,
- to minimise the incidence and spread of microorganisms of public health significance.
Biosecurity and quarantine are integral parts of any successful poultry production system. Biosecurity refers to those measures taken to prevent or control the introduction and spread of infectious agents to a flock. Such infectious agents, whether they cause clinical or subclinical disease, significantly reduce the productivity, profitability and long term financial viability of a poultry operation.
Biosecurity is about managing risk to meet the objectives stated above. It is essential that a risk assessment be conducted for each enterprise to establish what level of risk exists in each phase of its operations and to identify and implement control measures appropriate to these levels of risk.
This manual identifies areas of risk common to most poultry enterprises and appropriate measures to minimise these risks. When undertaking the risk assessment underpinning the farm-specific biosecurity measures, it is important to take into account all factors that may impact on the biosecurity of the production area. These factors should include the species of bird being produced, location and layout of property and production area, source of water supply, disease status of the district, proximity to other production areas with avian species, presence and type of wildlife, and interface with the organisations and/or individual clients that are being supplied. These interactions include bird pick-ups, servicemen, industry personnel, contractors and deliveries of day-old chicks and feed.
An additional element in the prevention of introduction and spread of disease is the use of vaccination. The manual does not cover this aspect but the importance of an appropriate vaccination strategy is acknowledged, and vaccination as a possible risk management measure should form part of the overall biosecurity assessment and strategy.
The purpose of the manual is to establish a minimum set of biosecurity guidelines, applicable to all poultry producers (including ratites) from hatcheries to the point of delivery at the processor. Commercial enterprises which raise poultry for egg production or for human consumption, or for the purposes of breeding these poultry, fall within the scope of this manual.
Individual producers and companies may wish to develop enhanced biosecurity manuals, which should nevertheless incorporate these minimum standards in addition to any specific company or industry sector requirements.
A biosecurity self audit/auditable checklist for continuous improvement is attached as Appendix 9. This document may also form the basis for either second or third party audits where this is required.
Biosecurity is like any other insurance policy and as such it is a prudent investment.
Next Section: Major Routes for Disease and Pathogen Transmission
