The Citizen, 2006-03-16, Page 39Feathered friends
Biosecurity measures ensure that no one enters this poultry facility without, first permission,
then knowing and following the procedures in place. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
PAGE A18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2006.
Agriculture 2006
CHEQ a major element in food safety strategy
Continued from A17
barns without the Diehls' permission
or supervision.
Now another measure is being
taken with the HACCP-based
Canadian Hatching Egg Quality
(CHEQ) program, a major element
in the national poultry industry's
"gate to plate" food safety strategy.
It links into the food safety
initiati,es developed by feed mills,
hatcheries, chicken farmers and
poultry processors. CHEQ focuses
on hatching egg production, but it
also cover the production of pullets,
market eggs and fowl.
With CHEQ one of the biggest
differences says Dave, is regarding
vaccines and chemicals, how they
are purchased and stored.
In the Chicken Farmers of Ontario
new quota policy, procedures are
outlined for strict record keeping. It
states that every producer shall
"establish and maintain a file for
each crop of chicken being produced
and marketed at registered premises
that contains a record of all activities
occurring each barn in relation to the
following aspects of chicken
production."
Listed are: controlling access to
the farm, access to space, feed and
water, cleaning and disinfection;
bedding materials, day-old chicks,
other input materials, the grow-out
period, handling chickens during the
grow-out period and loading
protocol.
"This has come about for the
industry," said Dave. "From the
consumer on down we do this to
protect our own interests'
One of the biggest components of
biosecurity is controlling access to
the farm. The first step is the posting
of signs that warn entrance is
prohibited to unauthorized
individuals. Access points to the
barns must be locked.
"We ha \ e people report to the
house tit st," said Dave. "It's getting
to the imint you basically have
er) onk., stay out unless there's a
yeast t or :hem to be there."
Visitors to farms are divided into
three t..,ttcgo.-ies. low risk, moderate
risk and filth risk. The first are
typically urhanitcs who have had no
contact with li ,estock and pose little
risk of spreading disease to
livestock. Recommended
precautions are that they wear clean
clothing' and footwear, and clean and
disinfect their boots before entering
the barn, or wear disposable
footwear. They should be
accompanied and not be allowed to
enter the pens or have contact with
the animals.
People such as salespeople, feed
distributors, farm equipment
mechanics and inspectors are
considered moderate risk as they do
travel from farm to farm but
typically have no direct contact with
lifestock.
They should follow the same
precautions as the low-risk visitor
with the addition of wearing
coveralls when in contact with feed,
water, soil samples, manure or farm
equipment. Sampling equipment
should be cleaned after each use and
following their departure the hoots
should be cleaned and disinfected
aid the soiled coveralls removed.
Mike Dauphin of Dauphin Feed
and Supply said their drivers have
been told not to go into any barns
unless the farmer has strictly stated
it's necessary. "We abide_ with the
protocols in place at each operation
and they can differ from place to
place."
He also noted that following the
rules does slow down the drivers, but
adds that it's not significant.
"The trend is definitely moving
more towards bio-security and we
abide by what each producers tells
<us."
High risk visitors — veterinarians,
inseminators, processing crews,
livestock haulers and neighbours—
obviously. have • more
recommendations to follow. In
addition to those previously
mentioned, they should arrive with
clean outerwear, hoots and
equipment. Vehicle interiors should
be cleaned and equipped with easily
removable rubber floor mats.
Livestock trailers should be cleaned
prior to arrival on the farm.
Livestock instruments and
equipment should be cleaned and
sterilized before use. However,
chemical disinfectants would not be
used on syringes or needles used to
deliver live vaccines. Disposable
needles and syringes should be used-.
wherever_ possible and disposable
sleeves and gloves should be worn
when their is direct contact with
body fluids, tissues or excrement.
Disinfection of equipment and
Continued on A19 NO PAYMENTS, NO INTEREST
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Helping hands
Adorable they may be to most of us, but to breeder pullett
producers these little ones are an investment. Biosecurity
measures on certain farms ensures that animals, like
these week-old chicks will be safe from outside illness.
'bonnie Gropp photo)
CNH Capital
Commercial Revolving Accoum
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CASE iii