Good Agricultural Practices for Layer Farm

Thai Agricultural Standard TAS 6909-2010 Good Agricultural Practices for Layer Farm National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives ICS 65.020.30 ISBN 978-974-403-745-9

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION Thai Agricultural Standard TAS 6909-2010 Good Agricultural Practices for Layer Farm National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives 50 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 Telephone 0 2561 2277, Facsimile 0 2561 3357 www.acfs.go.th Published in the Royal Gazette Volume 127, Special Section 147D Dated 21 December 2010

Technical Committee on the Elaboration of Standard for Good Agricultural Practices for Layer Farm 1. Mr.Jeera Sornnuwat Expert in International Livestock Standards Department of Livestock Development 2. Mr Chaisiri Mahantachaisakul National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards 3. Mrs Thanida Harintharanon Bureau of Livestock Standards and Certification Department of Livestock Development 4. Associate Professor Chaiyapoom Banchasak Faculty of Agriculture Kasetsart University 5. Assistant Professor Narin Upprakarin Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Kasetsart University 6. Mr Narin Romlamduan Food Processing Industry Club The Federation of Thai Industries 7. Mr Porntep Chongkol The Animal Husbandry Association of Thailand 8. Mr Chirawat Sritao The Association of Hen-Egg Farmers, Traders and Exporters 9. Mr Manoon Sukonpathip The Layer Raisers Association 10. Mr. Thanadej Sangwattanakul The Poultry Promotion Association of Thailand under the Patronage of His Majesty the King 11. Ms Yupa Laochindapan Office of Commodity and System Standard National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards Chairman Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member and secretary

(3) Egg production from layer raising is an important agro-industry of Thailand. With technology assisted in production, layer farming has been continuously developed both at farmers and integrated enterprises levels. Layer farming shall be managed in a hygienic manner with measures to prevent diseases to obtain healthy layers. For more effective practices of operators involved in layer farming, the Agricultural Standards Committee deems it necessary to establish the Thai Agricultural Standard for Good Agricultural Practices for Layer Farm. This standard is based on the information of the following documents: Department of Livestock Development. (2003). Standard Procedure for Layer Farm Operator. Livestock Standards Section, Bureau of Livestock Standards and Certification, Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Department of Livestock Development. (2003). Rules on Layer Farming Standard. Livestock Standards Section, Bureau of Livestock Standards and Certification, Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives TAS 6901-2552. Thai Agricultural Standard for Good Agricultural Practices for Broiler Farm. National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives OIE Animal Production Food Safety Working Group. Guide to Good Farming Practices for Animal Production Food Safety. Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz., 2006; 25 (2): pp 823-836

NOTIFICATION OF MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATIVES SUBJECT: THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD: GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES FOR LAYER FARM UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL STANDARDS ACT B.E. 2551(2008) Whereas the Agricultural Standards Committee deems it necessary to establish an agricultural standard on Good Agricultural Practices for Layer Farm as voluntary standard in accordance with the Agricultural Standards Act B.E. 2551 (2008) to promote such agricultural commodity to meet its standard on quality and safety. By virtue of articles 5, 15 and 16 of the Agricultural Standards Act, B.E. 2551 (2008), the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives hereby issues this Notification of Thai Agricultural Standard: Good Agricultural Practices for Layer Farm (TAS 6909-2010) to be a voluntary standard, details of which are attached herewith. Notified on 4 October 2010 (Mr Theera Wongsamut) Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives

Thai Agricultural Standard Good Agricultural Practices for Layer Farm 1. SCOPE This standard provides requirements on good agricultural practices for the management of layer farms, covering the components of farm, feed, water, farm management, animal health, animal welfare, produce management, environment, and record so as to obtain eggs which are suitable for consumption. 2. DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this standard 2.1 Layer means chicken of the scientific name Gallus gallus domesticus, the breeds which lay eggs regularly for consumption, and cover both pullets and laying hens. 2.2 Pullet means chicken of the age around 8-week old up to the laying age. 2.3 Laying hen means chicken of the appropriate age to lay egg, generally ranged from 18-week old up to the depopulation period around 70-week to 80-week old depending on the breeds. 2.4 Layer farm means raising premises for pullets and/or laying hens for commercial egg production purposes, covering areas for layer raising, egg gathering, feed storage and preparation, carcass disposal, garbage disposal, office and accommodation, etc. 2.5 Layer house means the building of both controlled and uncontrolled environment used for raising layers.

3. REQUIREMENTS AND INSPECTION METHODS Requirements and inspection methods shall be as in Table 1. Table 1 Requirements and inspection methods (Section 3) Items Requirements Inspection methods 1. Farm components 1.1 Site 1.2 Farm layout 1.3 Layer house and equipment 1.1 Locate in a no risk environment from any contamination of physical, chemical and biological hazards. 1.2.1 Allocate sufficient area for layer raising and does not pose any problem to the environment. 1.2.2 Separate the operation areas orderly to facilitate the farm activities and hygiene. 1.3.1 Availability of housing layout displaying positions of layer raising equipment 1.3.2 Availability of adequate hygienic raising area 1.3.3 Housing structure shall be sturdy, hygienic, easily cleaned and maintained and well ventilated. Layer house and egg collecting equipment shall facilitate egg gathering. 1.1 Visual inspection of farm location 1.2.1 Check farm size and environment 1.2.2 Check farm layout and visual inspect the operation area such as areas for layer raising, egg gathering, feed storage, carcass disposal, and accommodation 1.3.1 Check layout of the layer house 1.3.2 Visual inspection of raising area and stocking density 1.3.3 Visual inspection of housing structure and egg collecting equipment, in particular the laying period

Items Requirements Inspection methods 1.3.4 Availability of egg gathering and holding area before delivering to the egg collection centre 1.3.5 Egg gathering containers shall be appropriate and hygienic. 1.3.4 Visual inspection of the area 1.3.5 Check the egg gathering containers 2. Feed 2.1 The feed shall be of quality and standard in compliance with the Feed Quality Control Act and its amendments. 2.1 Check farm records and feed sources or registration number or analytical result of feed 2.2 Incoming feed inspection and preliminary quality check shall be in place. Feed shall be sampled and held for further laboratory testing in case of problem or suspicion. 2.3 Prohibited substances according to the Feed Quality Control Act and its amendments shall not be used. 2.4 Keep feed in a condition to prevent the contamination and deterioration 2.5 All layers shall have access to and be provided with sufficient feed. 2.2 Visual inspection whether feed samples are kept and check the receiving record. 2.3 Check farm records. 2.4 Check feed storage area and storing method. Feed in bag shall be placed on supporting materials, for example, pallets. 2.5 Check the number of layers per feeder, position of the feeder and feeding 3. Water 3.1 Water sources on farm shall be located in an area safe from contamination of hazardous substances. 3.1 Visual inspection of water sources

Items Requirements Inspection methods 3.2 Water for layers and water used on farm shall be clean. Result of water analysis shall be made available. 3.3 Ensure that all layers are accessible to water with sufficient amount. 3.2 Check record of water analysis on important items in accordance with Ground Water Quality Standards for Drinking Proposes 3.3 Check the number of layers per drinker, the position of the drinkers and watering. 4. Farm management 4.1 Farm manual 4.1 Availability of farm procedures illustrating the details of important farm operations such as raising system, feed and water, management of farm, animal health, animal welfare and environment. 4.1 Check the farm manual and related documents 4.2 Operators/workers 4.2.1 Sufficient to the flock, with clearly assigned duty and responsibility. 4.2.2 Layer raising workers shall have knowledge and be trained in taking care of layers. 4.2.3 Availability of animal husbandry supervisors or any experienced or trained supervisors in animal husbandry 4.2.4 Availability of veterinarian with poultry farm veterinary supervisor license to control layer health. 4.2.5 Operators/workers shall have good personal hygiene to prevent contamination and spread of disease. 4.2.1 Check the number of operators/workers and their job descriptions 4.2.2 Check the training records and interview 4.2.3 Check supervisors performance and training records. 4.2.4 Check veterinary license and poultry farm veterinary supervisor license 4.2.5 Visual inspection of personal hygiene and check records of illness and annual health checkup

Items Requirements Inspection methods 4.3 Cleaning and maintenance 5. Animal health 5.1 Prevention and control of diseases 4.3.1 Clean and maintain layer house, equipment and surrounding area to be in good and hygienic condition. 4.3.2 Clean and disinfect egg collecting containers prior to introducing into the raising area and each use. 4.3.3 After depopulation, clean and disinfect the layer house and equipment. The house shall be vacated for downtime period of at least 14 days prior to introducing a new flock into the house, unless otherwise specified by the Department of Livestock Development (DLD). 5.1.1 Specify source of layer chicks. 5.1.2 Availability of preventive and control measures of diseases introducing into farm by human, vehicles and other equipment. 5.1.3 Availability of disease prevention program established by the farm veterinary supervisor and the farm shall be regularly monitored. 4.3.1 Check the cleanliness and cleaning records of layer house, equipment and surrounding area 4.3.2 Check the cleanliness and cleaning and disinfection records 4.3.3 Check cleaning and disinfection records and the downtime 5.1.1 Check records on the source of layers 5.1.2 Check the measures and records on diseases prevention and control 5.1.3 Check disease prevention program and records of operations 5.1.4 Monitor layer health daily. 5.1.4 Check records of daily monitoring with health report and identification of sick flock.

Items Requirements Inspection methods 5.2 Treatment 5.1.5 In case of an outbreak, or suspicion of epidemic disease, Animal Epidemic Act and its amendments shall be complied. 5.1.5 Check record on the actions required by the law 5.2 Follow the instruction of the farm veterinary supervisor. 5.2 Check the records of treatment and use of veterinary drugs 6. Animal welfare 6. The regulations of the DLD concerning protection and care of the welfare of poultry at the raising place shall be complied. 6. Check the operations according to the regulations of the DLD and check records and documents 7. Pullets and eggs management 7.1 Pullets 7.1.1 Randomly check for health, size and weight. 7.1.1 Visual inspection and check the records 7.1.2 Segregate pullets which are not healthy and have different size and weight from the lot. 7.1.2 Check the lot 7.2 Eggs 7.2.1 Collect eggs at least 3 times a day. 7.2.2 Cull off abnormal eggs, cracked or broken eggs. Dirty eggs or soiled eggs with manure shall be separated for cleaning. 7.2.3 Store eggs under shade with good air flow or in a temperature controlled area. 7.2.1 Check the frequency of egg collecting and records 7.2.2 Check eggs separation and records 7.2.3 Check the area for egg storage

Items Requirements Inspection methods 7.2.4 Deliver eggs to the egg collection center without undue delay by a clean vehicle provided with good ventilation or equipped with a temperature controlled 7.2.4 Visual inspection 8. Environment 8.1 Appropriately dispose of garbage and wastes such as manure and carcasses, to prevent accumulation of pathogens and unpleasant odour. 8.1 Visual inspection 8.2 Availability of preventive measures on litter scattering after depopulation 8.2 Check document and operation 9. Record keeping 9.1 Availability of records on important operations on farm management that affect animal health and disease control. 9.1 Check records 9.2 Keep records for at least 3 years 9.2 Check the kept records 4. GUIDANCE ON GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES FOR LAYER FARM Good agricultural practices for layer farm are intended to provide recommendations for business entrepreneurs and farmers to produce egg suitable for consumption. Details of which are described as in Appendix A.

APPENDIX A GUIDANCE ON GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES FOR LAYER FARM A.1 FARM COMPONENTS A.1.1 Site (Section 4) A.1.1.1 The layer farm is located in a no risk environment from any contamination of physical, chemical and biological hazards which may adversely affect layer health and hygiene, such as not in the vicinity of industrial or waste disposal areas. A.1.1.2 The layer farm is located in an appropriate area for layer raising, such as the area with convenient transportation, not prone to flooding, sufficient supply of clean water source for animal raising, open space with good air flow. The farm should be kept distance from the community and permitted by the Local Administrative Organization. A.1.1.3 Farm location shall be at least 5 km away from bird gathering areas such as live poultry markets, poultry slaughterhouses, to prevent spreading of any animal diseases. In other cases, any measure to prevent the spread of diseases shall be provided. A.1.2 Farm layout A.1.2.1 Farm has sufficient and suitable size for animal raising and does not pose any problem to the environment and animal health. A.1.2.2 Farm is provided with good layout and sufficient space for houses, constructed orderly according to the farm activities and not overcrowded. Such layout shall clearly define positions and divisions of certain areas, for examples the areas for raising, housing, storages for egg, feed and equipment, carcass and waste disposals, office and entrance and exit, etc. The office and accommodation shall be in the separated area away from the layer raising area to facilitate hygienic farm operation and effective disease control. A.1.2.3 There shall be single entrance and exit equipped with a disinfection system prior to entering the farm. The layer raising area should be fenced. A.1.2.4 Farm road shall be constructed with durable materials and good condition and appropriate width for transport of equipment, feed and produce in and out of the farm. A.1.2.5 Accommodation and office are distinctively separated and located with appropriate distance from the layer raising area. Accommodation shall be strong, clean, tidy, sufficient to the staffs and clearly separated from the assigned raising area.

A.1.3 Layer house and equipment A.1.3.1 There shall be housing layout displaying position of equipment used such as feeders and drinkers. A.1.3.2 House shall be of appropriate type and size according to the flocks without causing unnecessary injury, and not be overcrowded to adversely affect the hygienic practices on layer raising. There shall be appropriate distance between layer houses. A disinfectant basin for boots dipping prior to entering and exiting the house shall be provided at the entrance of each layer house. In case of the open system, the prevention of other birds or pests entering the house shall be applied, e.g. using a net. A.1.3.3 Housing structure shall be sturdy and constructed with durable materials, easy to clean and maintain, and well ventilated. During the laying period, house and/or egg collecting equipment shall be provided to facilitate hygienic egg holding and easy egg gathering. A.1.3.4 Materials used for layer house construction should not have any protrusion that can injure layers and should be able to clean and disinfect. A.1.3.5 Holding area for the eggs should be provided prior to delivering to the egg collection centre. A.1.3.6 Suitable containers should be used for egg gathering and holding prior to delivering to the egg collection center. A.1.3.7 Lighting equipment should meet the layer requirements A.1.3.8 Area for layer raising Area for floor raising (1) Open system means the layer house where its condition is varied according to the outer environment. The maximum stocking density Pullets: not exceeding 10 heads/m 2 Laying hens: not exceeding 5 heads/m 2 (2) Closed system means the layer house where its environment, such as temperature, humidity, ventilation and lighting, is controlled for the well-being of layers. The maximum stocking density Pullets: not exceeding 14 heads/m 2 Laying hens: not exceeding 7 heads/ m 2

Battery cage system The maximum stocking density Pullets: not exceeding 15 heads/m 2 Laying hens: an area of at least 450 cm 2 per layer, the height above the lowest level of the cage not less than 35 cm or as specified by the trading partners A.1.3.9 Appropriately control the environment factors of the closed system to prevent any suffering to layers as follows: (1) Ventilation suitable to age and the seasons (2) Temperature, relative humidity, air velocity and dust for the comfort of layers (3) Gas levels ammonia carbon dioxide not exceeding 20 ppm not exceeding 5,000 ppm A.1.3.10 Lighting for the houses (both open and closed systems) (1) Pullets Average light intensity of at least 10 lux measured at bird eye level for at least 8 hours per day but not exceeding 23 hours per day (2) Laying hens Average lighting intensity of at least 10 lux measured at bird eye level for 8-16 hours per day according to the age of layers. A.2 LAYER FEED A.2.1 The feed shall be of quality and standard in compliance with the Feed Quality Control Act and its amendments. In case of purchase, only the feed registered under the Feed Quality Control Act and its amendments shall be chosen. A.2.2 Incoming feed inspection and preliminary quality check, for example bags in good condition without rupture, correct labeling, and no fungal contamination, shall be in place. Feed should be sampled and held for further laboratory testing in case of problems found in the farm or any suspicion. A.2.3 For own mixed feed, the raw material and feed additives shall be of good quality. The prohibited substances shall not be used according to the Feed Quality Control Act and its amendments.

A.2.4 The use of veterinary drugs for mixing in feed or medicated feed for disease prevention or treatment shall be under the supervision of the farm veterinarian. The medicated feed shall be kept separately from other feed and properly identified. A.2.5 The feed containers should be clean, dry and moisture proof and have never contained hazardous substances, fertilizers or any material which may be harmful to animals. They shall be free from substances which may contaminate feed. If the containers are coated, the coating material shall not be harmful to the animals and consumers. A.2.6 Loading section of the vehicle used for feed transport shall be dry, clean and appropriate. Prevention against contamination and deterioration shall be available, e.g. by using canvas to cover the loading section. A.2.7 Verification of layer feed quality by sampling and laboratory testing on quality and residues shall be carried out by the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) under the Feed Quality Control Act and its amendments. A.2.8 Specific area for feed storage which is clean, dry, free from pest and well ventilated shall be provided. The feed storage shall be able to protect the feed from contamination and deterioration. A.2.9 Feed in bags shall be placed on a supporting material such as pallet to provide good air flow and to prevent moisture accumulation. A.2.10 Nutritional composition of the feed should be suitable to the requirements according to age and breed of layers. A.2.11 Appropriate feeders should be used and placed in the proper position accessible for all layers. (1) Feeder for floor raising Pullets: the length of feeders should not be less than 7 cm per head Laying hens: the length of feeders should not be less than 10 cm per head (2) Battery cage system A.3 WATER Pullets: the length of feeders should not be less than 4 cm per head Laying hens: the length of feeders should not be less than 10 cm per head A.3.1 Water sources on farm shall be located in an area where animal manure or waste water contamination from the layer house and accommodation can be prevented. Furthermore, water source should be away from slaughterhouses or industrial factories. If it is sourced from underground, the artesian well shall be completely covered.

A.3.2 Water supply for animal drinking and on farm use shall be clean, adequate and safe. If underground water is used, it shall comply with the standard for Groundwater Quality Standards for Drinking Purposes as stipulated in the Notification of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Water shall be sampled for analysis on microorganisms, hardness, heavy metals, etc at least once a year. A.3.3 Number and size of drinkers such as water trough, nipple or water pot should be appropriate and placed at the proper position accessible for all layers. A.3.3.1 Drinker for floor raising Pullets and laying hens: The length of drinker or water trough: not less than 3 cm per head The number of nipple:10-15 heads per nipple A.3.3.2 Battery cage For pullets and laying hens: The length of drinker or water trough: not less than 3 cm per head The number of nipple:10-15 heads per nipple A.4 FARM MANAGEMENT A.4.1 Farm manual A.4.1.1 The farm procedures demonstrating the layer raising system, layer feeding and watering, management of farm, animal health, animal disease control and prevention, animal welfare and environment should be available. The farm procedures should provide details of the following outline: (1) Layer house preparation (2) Brooding (3) Raising practices for different age ranges, or depending on farm practice, as follows chicks (up to 8-week old) pullets (more than 8-week to 18-week old) laying hens ( more than 18-week old up to the depopulation period) (4) Depopulation (5) Feed (6) Water (7) Pest prevention and control

(8) Animal health management Vaccination program Disease surveillance and flock immunity Sick and dead bird management Application of veterinary drug (9) House environment management Lighting Temperature Humidity Ventilation Waste disposal (10) Harvesting and post-harvesting Egg gathering Egg sorting and cleaning Egg holding and storing Damaged egg disposal (11) Practices of poultry welfare on farm and during transport. (12) Environmental management A.4.2 Operators/workers A.4.2.1 The farm shall have enough operators/workers according to the number of raised layers. The duty and responsibility of each position shall be clearly identified as follows: A.4.2.1.1 Keeper is a trained person in layer raising and responsible for layer raising and animal welfare. (1) For open system: one keeper should be responsible for not exceeding 10,000 layers (2) For closed system: one keeper should be responsible for not exceeding 20,000 layers (3) For closed system (automatic system): one keeper should be responsible for not exceeding 50,000 layers A.4.2.1.2 Supervisor is an animal husbandry person or one who has experience or has been trained in animal husbandry by recognized institute. Supervisor who is an animal husbandry person is a person who control, monitor, oversee layer raising, including animal welfare. The animal husbandry person, who holds at least a Bachelor Degree in Animal Husbandry or Animal Science, should supervise layer raising of not more than 500,000 layers.

A supervisor who has experience or has been trained in animal husbandry by a recognized institute should supervise layer raising of not more than 100,000 layers. A.4.2.1.3 Veterinarian is the supervisor of the farm on animal health and farm sanitary as well as animal welfare. The veterinarian who is a graduate in veterinary science and receives a veterinary license from the Veterinary Council and a poultry farm veterinary supervisor license from the DLD shall supervise not more than 2,000,000 layers. A.4.2.2 The persons responsible for layer raising shall have knowledge and skill. They shall be trained and refreshed, and history of training recorded. A.4.2.3 Operators/workers shall maintain an appropriate degree of personal hygiene and have health check-up at least once a year. Any person who is injured or suffered from, for example, diarrhea, vomiting, sore throat or fever, shall not be allowed to work in the layer house. Conditions of injury or sickness shall be reported to the farm manager. A.4.3 Cleaning and maintenance A.4.3.1 Equipment used for layer raising such as feeders and drinkers shall permit a thorough cleaning. Prior to the placement of a new flock, layer house and equipment shall be cleaned to assure the sanitary conditions and to facilitate the operations. A.4.3.2 Immediate surroundings of layer house of at least 3 m radius should be clean, clear and free from garbage. A.4.3.3 Effective cleaning and disinfection systems for layer house, equipment and surrounding area shall be in place. After depopulation, the layer house and equipment shall be cleaned, disinfected and vacated for downtime period of at least 14 days, before introducing a new flock into the housing, or otherwise stipulated by the DLD. A.4.3.4 Wet or lumpy litter shall be immediately removed from the layer house. For battery cage system, manure shall be regularly removed from the house to prevent unpleasant smell and accumulation of pathogen. A.4.3.5 Layer house and equipment shall be maintained in good conditions, safe for layers and operators. A.4.3.6 Important tools and equipment such as automatic equipment necessary for animal welfare shall be checked daily. If it is not functioning properly, it shall be immediately fixed. Otherwise appropriate actions shall be taken to protect animal welfare and health. Good ventilation system for adequate supply of air shall be available for layers. Back-up equipment shall be provided. Alarm system should be installed and checked regularly. A.4.3.7 Egg collecting containers shall be cleaned and disinfected prior to introducing into the layer raising area and each use. A.5 ANIMAL HEALTH A.5.1 Prevention and Control of diseases

A.5.1.1 Layers shall be procured from known sources i.e. breeder farms, breeder flocks, hatcheries. A.5.1.2 Disease prevention and control measures should be provided prior to entering the farm. A stringent disinfection shall be applied to vehicles and visitors entering and exiting the farm or the layer raising area. The procedures for disease mitigation shall also be in place to prevent the spreading of disease from the farm. A.5.1.3 There shall be a strict control at the farm entrance. Vehicles shall be sprayed with disinfectants or pass through disinfectant spraying facilities incorporated with wheel dips (the disinfectant shall be prepared according to the rate indicated on the manufacturer s label and regularly changed). The farm gate shall be locked at all times and opened only with the permission from the responsible person. A record of visitors and vehicles in and out of the farm including the visiting time shall be kept for inspection. A.5.1.4 Preventive measures should be available to prevent unauthorized persons to the farm. The layer raising area shall be fenced and provided with warning signs against trespassing of unauthorized persons and vehicles. A.5.1.5 Persons entering the farm shall have their shoes and hands disinfected at the farm entrance. Any person entering the layer raising area shall pass through the disinfecting and showering room and wear clothing provided by the farm. Disinfecting and shower room shall consist of: (1) clothes changing room before entering the disinfecting room; (2) disinfecting room provided with sufficient space, non-slippery floor and nonirritant disinfectants for users; (3) shower room after passing disinfecting room; (4) clothes and shoes changing room before entering the layer house. In addition, every room shall be clearly separated and provided with functional equipment which is regularly cleaned. Clothing and footwear used in the farm shall be cleaned after each use. A.5.1.6 The workers and equipment for each layer house shall be distinctly separated. Disinfection procedures and control measures for materials and equipment brought into and out of the farm shall be in place to prevent pathogen contamination. The vehicles used inside and outside the farm shall be separated. A.5.1.7 To prevent accumulation of pathogens in the layer raising area, the disinfection sprayers facilitated the works from place to place in farm area shall be provided. The number of sprayers shall be appropriate to the farm size and maintained in good operating condition. A.5.1.8 A farm disease surveillance plan shall be prepared by the farm veterinary supervisor in accordance with the plan of the DLD. The farm veterinary supervisor should visit the farm regularly. A.5.1.9 For immunity against diseases, every chicken shall be vaccinated according to the vaccination program established by the farm veterinary supervisor.

A.5.1.10 Prevention and control of pests shall be in place to avoid being a pathogenic source that affects layer s health and hygiene. For examples, care should be taken to ensure that there is no water logging area or filthy water around the layer house which can harbourage insects; immediate removal of dead chicken by disposing in waterproof plastic bag or tightened container to prevent access of pests. Program and methods for continuous eradication of pests should be regularly implemented. A.5.1.11 Each layer flock should be identified, e.g. by house or by flock code. Produce shall be daily monitored such as the amount of eggs, quality, size, appearance and shell colour. The abnormalities of layer such as the likelihood of any disease sign or appearance of layer in order to control diseases shall be monitored at least once a day. A.5.1.11.1 Management of sick layers Sick layers should be isolated from the flock for treatment and kept in the confined area to prevent disease spreading. The sign shall be observed and disease treated until the layers fully recovered under the supervision of the farm veterinary supervisor. In case the sick layers cannot be cured, an appropriate action shall be taken to prevent animal from suffering. If the layers contract an epidemic disease such as Newcastle disease or Avian Influenza, they shall be destroyed to prevent the spread of such diseases in accordance with the Animal Epidemics Act and its amendments. A.5.1.11.2 Management of dead chickens If the mortality rate is abnormal, the farm veterinarian shall dissect the chicken carcasses to determine the preliminary cause of disease. If it is suspicious of epidemic disease, immediately notify to the DLD official. A.5.1.11.3 Destruction of carcasses and culling Specific area shall be provided for destruction of chicken carcasses. It shall be distance from layer house, feed storage and water source. Three methods of carcass destruction and culling are: (1) Destruction by burial There shall be sufficient space and high terrain from flooding. Carcasses are buried at the depth of not less than 50 cm (centimeter). Proper disinfectants shall be poured or scattered over every part of the carcasses, then filling the pit with a mound piled above the ground level at least 50 cm. If permanent pond is used for burial, it should be completely covered to prevent animal digging. (2) Destruction by burning There shall be burning place or incinerator installed in proper area for complete burning. (3) Destruction by composing There shall be a proper area for decomposition of chicken carcasses and ensure that the temperature used during decomposition leads to a complete degradation and hence pose no risk of becoming source of disease spreading. Procedures for carcass decomposition shall be complied with the biosecurity principles.

A.5.2 Treatment The poultry farm veterinarian shall practice according to the Veterinary Profession Act and its amendments, and the requirement of TAS 9023 Standard for Good Practices for Control of the Use of Veterinary Drugs. Treatment of animal diseases and the use of veterinary drugs including hazardous substances on farm shall be under supervision of the poultry farm veterinarian. It is prohibited to use growth promoting hormones and banned substances as stipulated in the Notification of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. A.6 ANIMAL WELFARE A.6.1 The layers shall be raised in a proper environment with comfortable condition and having good air flow. A.6.2 The layers shall receive sufficient feed and water appropriately to their physiological needs. A.6.3 The layers shall be handled in a manner that will minimize their frightening and stress and freedom to express normal pattern of behavior. A.6.4 In case of injury or sickness, the layers shall be treated in a timely manner. A.6.5 Welfare handling shall comply with the Regulations of the Department of Livestock Development on Protection of Poultry Welfare at Farm. In case of moving and transporting of live chickens, the animal welfare handling shall comply with the Regulations of the Department of Livestock Development on Protection of Poultry during Transport. A.7 PRODUCT MANAGEMENT A.7.1 Pullets A.7.1.1 Pullets shall be checked randomly on health, uniformity and average weight according to their breeds in order to obtain healthy layers with proper appearance and readiness for egg laying. A.7.1.2 Abnormal pullets which are unhealthy, irregular in size and weight from the laying flock shall be sorted. A.7.1.3 Pullets which are ready to lay eggs shall be moved with care to avoid injury to an appropriate area for egg laying. Appropriate feeding programme should be provided. A.7.2 Eggs

A.7.2.1. To minimize dirt and damage, and to protect eggs from being pecked, eggs shall be frequently collected, at least 3 times a day (if possible, immediately after it is laid). Care should be taken in egg collecting to avoid cracking of the egg shell. A.7.2.2 Eggs with abnormal shape or abnormal size, checks, eggs with thin spots or rough areas on the shells and eggs of abnormal appearance or irregular size shall be separated and treated with suitable methods. A.7.2.3 To prevent contamination, dirty eggs shall be separated for cleaning before distributing. A.7.2.4 Eggs should be kept in an appropriate place. They should not be placed outdoor or in the room with high temperature but should be kept indoor with good ventilation. If possible, the eggs should be stored in a temperature-controlled room to keep their freshness. A.7.2.5 Eggs should be rapidly delivered to the egg collection centre. Vehicle used should be clean, dry, free from pests, and provided with good ventilation or temperature control. Measures to prevent contamination and deterioration should be in place. A.8 ENVIRONMENT A.8.1 Garbage, discarded carcasses, and other waste such as manure shall be removed to prevent odour and pathogens. Carcasses of disease carriers such as bird and rat shall be destroyed by burial or burning. A.8.2 After final depopulation, litter shall be sprayed with disinfectant before removal from broiler house to avoid litter scattering during transport from farm. Reuse of litter is not allowed. The truck carrying used litter shall be covered with canvas to guard against spilling of litter during transportation. A.8.3 Used water for cleaning broiler house and equipment after depopulation and downtime shall be treated before release to public water resources. A.8.4 Dead chicken shall be immediately removed when found. They shall be placed in a waterproof plastic bag and sealed to prevent the spread of disease and then destroy. A.8.5 Where there is a problem of unpleasant smell and dust to the community, appropriate control methods should be available. A.9 RECORD KEEPING There shall be a system of documentation. The records of important information shall be kept for a period of at least three years for trace back inspection covering the following items: A.9.1 The information on farm administration i.e. organization chart of farm, animal health information, personnel and training history records, number of employees, and job description

A.9.2 The information on production management i.e. data relating to broilers, feed and drinking water for broilers, farm management, animal heath, disease prevention and control, waste disposal. A.9.3 Public opinion concerning the farm establishment, and farm permit from the Local Administrative Organization should be kept.

APPENDIX B UNITS The units and symbols used in this standard and the units accepted by the International System of Units (Le Systéme International d Unités) are as follows: Quantity Unit Symbol Length centimeter cm meter m kilometer km Area square centimeter cm 2 square meter m 2 Light intensity lux lx