Salmonella Control Programme. in Laying Hens. UK Example

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1 Salmonella Control Programme Lesley Larkin United Kingdom in Laying Hens. UK Example Workshop on Monitoring and Reporting System of Zoonoses and Control of Salmonella Belgrade, March 2012

2 Outline 1. Background to the UK industry 2. The requirements of the NCP Key points Sampling protocol Operator sampling Official sampling Additional sampling Actions in case positive 3. Salmonella control on layer farms 4. Implementing the programme

3 UK Poultry Industry - Background 6 th Largest producer in EU 34.5 million laying hens in billion eggs p/a - table egg industry worth 561 million (2010) Consumes 1 million tons cereals per annum (Breeders, Pullets and Layers) Approx 99% of UK production produced by approx 1800 farm premises % self-sufficient

4 UK target: SE/ST prevalence reduction in adult laying flocks by 10% each year (starting in 2008) from the baseline 8% prevalence by Target now 2% less flocks positive

5 Introduction to the NCP Started February Enhanced monitoring & controls for Salmonella in commercial layer flocks: Annex II B of Regulation (EC) No. 2160/2003 the time at which samples are taken is specified Regulation (EC) No. 517/20101 replaced Regulation (EC) No. 1168/2006 type of sample, analysis etc specified Programme implemented on all UK premises with 350+ birds Enforced through UK National Legislation for marketing of eggs The Egg and Chick Regulations. Financial penalty system for non compliance No compensation payable in the UK for positive flocks 5

6 Operation of the programme Operators are responsible for a large part of the programme. Farmers must keep records of flocks and testing NRL will keep database of positive findings Negative test returns from private laboratories To ensure that the plan is operating satisfactorily it is monitored by the Competent Authority Local knowledge is important! Routine official sampling and farm inspections carried out at the same time as egg marketing/food hygiene inspections carried out

7 Day old chick box liners DOA 2 weeks before lay 2 pairs boot swabs weeks age 2 pairs boot swabs or faeces 2x150g Every 15 weeks 2 pairs boot swabs or faeces 2x150g Operator Sampling Programme

8 Official Sampling Routine official sample: 1 flock/yr on holdings with > 1000 birds State vet service veterinary officers visit the premise and sample the flock Check the farmers sampling records Sample = 2x 150 gram faeces/ 2x pairs boot swabs and dust Sample tested at the NRL Confirmatory/suspect samples Official sample following detection of positive flock

9 Laying Chickens - official controls when +ve flock detected

10 Options for additional challenge test Regulation 1237/2007 Owners may opt to re-test the flock at own expense. If tests are negative the eggs may be marketed again as Class A Under supervision: Enhanced faeces plus dust (test individual) OR Internal organs (caecae and oviducts) of 300 birds OR 4,000 eggs (shell and contents) examined in pools of 40. Samples taken by State Veterinarians Aim to ensure robust audit trail

11 Control of Salmonella on laying hen farms

12 Potential Sources of Salmonella Infected source breeding flocks Hatchery contamination Housing Bedding materials Insects and rodents Water Equipment Wild birds Other farm livestock (pigs!) Contaminated Feed People Major epidemiological risk factors for Salmonella introduction at primary production

13 Control of Salmonella on farm 1. Prevent introduction good biosecurity and source from Salmonella-negative breeding flocks 2. All-in-all-out production system 3. Effective decontamination of affected houses 4. Pest control 5. Vaccination 6. Clean feed, litter and water sources 7. Effective monitoring for Salmonella (National Control Programmes) Antimicrobials prohibited

14 Focus on areas where you can achieve improvement! Important to rank the risk factors in a specific situation and work through each factor in order of priority Control of infection in the breeding pyramid critical Basic biosecurity principles eg use boot changes going into/out of each house are often forgotten Feed critical points for monitoring. Code of Practice for Salmonella control during production, storage and transport of feed

15 Effective decontamination affected houses

16 Post cleaning and disinfection swabbing Key areas of the house are swabbed for residual contamination. Samples are taken after disinfectants have dried using moist gauze or sponge pads Repopulation of the house only after negative results

17 Vaccination Used in UK broiler parent breeders and laying hens Vaccination only works: 1. when low/moderate environmental challenge present 2. when applied properly to healthy birds before challenge. Not all vaccine programmes are equally effective. Live-killed combinations, oil based vaccines best Combining vaccination with competitive exclusion products can also improve efficacy Vaccination is not a substitute for good farm management (Costly to distinguish field strain from live vaccine strain!)

18 Recognised challenges and solutions (1) 1. Reduction and elimination of Salmonella infection on poultry farms is not easy 2. Effective cleaning and disinfection only possible when flock depopulated 3. Risk of incoming flock becoming re-infected Solutions? publication of Codes of Practice provision of free expert advice on Salmonella control to industry Encourage all-in-all-out production systems ongoing research programme to identify best control options/ review current methods

19 Recognised challenges and solutions (2) 4. Gaining and maintaining industry cooperation difficult with economic impact 5. The UK has many small holdings/premises where laying hens produce eggs fro human consumption Solutions? Close government industry working partnership - shared responsibility Build on existing industry farm assurance schemes Education of producers letters, DVD, guidance Proportionate approach to implementation concentrate on greatest risk

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