National Avian On-Farm Biosecurity Standard (second edition)
National Avian On-Farm Biosecurity Standard

Section 1 Access Management

1.1 Designation of Zones

Access to/exit from the barn, flock area and premises is controlled through the establishment of protective zones and controlled access points.

It is important to ensure that everyone who works/lives on a premises or comes onto a premises for any purpose is clear about where they are allowed to go. This is best achieved by setting up protective zones around the areas where poultry are kept or handled. For these zones to be effective, they need to be visible or defined and have clearly identified access points.

The best approach is to create two zones:

1. An outer area commonly referred to as a Controlled Access Zone (CAZ) which encompasses the entire area where poultry are kept or handled.
2. An inner more restricted area where poultry are housed or intended to be housed, located inside the CAZ, to which access is more tightly controlled. For the purposes of this document it will be referred to as the Restricted Access Zone (RAZ). The RAZ is also referred to as the Production Area or Restricted Area (RA) in other poultry production documents and guides. The RAZ may include the inside of a barn, a barn and range area, pasture and any other area identified by the producer as requiring an elevated biosecurity level.

Controlled access points (CAPs):

• are established to manage access to the CAZ and the RAZ
• should provide or lead to an area that is equipped with supplies for conducting the biosecurity requirements (for example designed to facilitate hand washing, change of clothes and boots)

Examples of CAPs are a gate to the CAZ and the door of a poultry barn or a gate to an outdoor range that can be secured.

To provide the necessary space and infrastructure for implementing the biosecurity procedures:

• ante-rooms (preferably) or transition areas should be established at the CAP for entering the RAZ, particularly when barns/buildings are present, and when renovating and/or building new barns
• a transition area should be established at the CAP for entering the RAZ of range and pasture production. The transition area should provide: a hard surface that can be kept clean, storage for biosecurity clothing and materials and space to perform biosecurity procedures including the ability to sanitize hands

Transition areas need not be elaborate or complex. Concrete pavers or a gravel surface and totes for biosecurity supplies such as clothing, boots and hand sanitizer may be sufficient for some flocks.

Having put the zones and access points in place it is essential that they be easily identified. This can normally be achieved with a combination of signs and barriers.

Whatever method is used, a key factor is the ability to ensure regular access to the CAZ can be closed /blocked if needed.

It is important to have a physical or visual barrier separating the CAZ from the RAZ at which point additional measures such as footwear changing and hand cleaning can take place. This can be in an enclosed area or anteroom which can be kept clean and prevent access by pests and other animals. Transition areas as described in Section 1.1.1 can be used for moving between the CAZ and RAZ of range/pasture production.

1.2 Entry/Movement/Exit Controls

Owners or keepers of poultry need to ensure that everyone understands not only where and what the zones are but also the reason why the zones are in place. This requires communication, training and supervision of people on the premises. See sections 3.6.1 and 3.6.2

People who understand the purpose of a biosecurity measure are more likely to adopt the practice as part of their daily routine and ensure that any contractors or visitors coming onto the premises abide by these measures.

It is important that the same knowledge is shared with family members, people who are on the premises but do not work with poultry, and any temporary workers.

Diseases can be brought in or spread on clothing, footwear, hands, vehicle tires or dirty equipment. To minimize these risks every premises needs to have clearly defined control measures in place for accessing the CAZ and RAZ.

• Restrict access to the CAZ by establishing a CAP. The CAP is the clearly defined entry point that can be closed with a barrier. This barrier may include a gate, chain or other device. Restricted entry is communicated through biosecurity signage
• Control access to the RAZ through a physical barrier which may include an ante-room, transition area, a barn door or gate and appropriate signage. Controlling access to this area is critical as this is where diseases can be stopped from gaining access to the flock or being transmitted from the flock to other flocks
• Limit access to the CAZ and the RAZ to essential personnel and service providers required for flock production
• Accompany visitors when entry to the premises is required
• Provide facilities, equipment and materials to sanitize hands, and clean and disinfect footwear and equipment, and perform clothing and boot changes as necessary between zones based on the established routine biosecurity protocols for daily operations
• Establish biosecurity procedures for entry of personnel and essential visitors based on the relative risks of disease transmission
• Maintain a visitor log

The best way to ensure that everyone understands the requirements is to have written instructions that clearly describe the steps to be followed for access to the CAZ and RAZ. This provides a consistent template for communication and training. Refer to the farm diagram, created during the development of a biosecurity plan, when discussing biosecurity requirements. Elements of a farm diagram may include a map of the property and locations of:

• premises boundaries
• farm buildings (barns, equipment, miscellaneous etc.), flock areas, CAZ(s), RAZ(s), CAP(s)
• office, parking
• feed, feed supplements and bedding storage
• manure/compost storage
• mortality storage
• water treatment and inline medicators
• other areas as necessary

Section 2 Animal Health Management

2.1 Animal Introduction/Movement/Removal

Every time poultry are moved onto or from the premises, or between barns/flock areas, there are associated risks for the introduction and spread of infectious diseases. It is therefore important to schedule these movements to keep risks to a minimum.

Proper scheduling:

• enables the segregation or isolation of poultry or flocks within individual barn units/flock areas
• regulates traffic flow within and between premises
• may reduce the risks associated with activities such as catching or placement of new poultry that occur in close proximity to the resident flock when live poultry will remain on the premises

People catching or placing poultry, where live birds remain, should wear clean clothing and boots prior to entering the RAZ.

As outlined in the Poultry Service Industry Biosecurity Guide, service sector personnel are responsible for being aware of and complying with the producer's site-specific biosecurity plan or adhering to their company's biosecurity standards if higher than those requested by the producer.

Movements should be planned and recorded so, if an infectious disease is suspected, flocks can be quickly traced and isolated if required.

"All in/all out" placement of single-age poultry within the barns/flock areas presents the least risk. Under this system a new flock is introduced into a barn/flock area or premises within a short time frame. Facilities are emptied, cleaned and disinfected or otherwise managed to reduce pathogen load (for example barn heating, litter treatment and downtime) before the introduction of the next flock.

In flocks where "all in/all out" placement does not apply, the risks are greater and additional precautions are needed as outlined in target outcome 2.1.3.

It is important that all new poultry brought onto the premises are from a source that has an active disease surveillance and risk mitigation program in place:

• source poultry from a hatchery that operates under a disease control program or from flocks that have current health records and no evidence of infectious disease
• ensure that poultry introductions have equivalent health status and vaccination history (levels) as resident flocks

Poultry that are to be introduced into barns with multi-age flocks should be kept separate for a quarantine period before introduction. Consult your veterinarian or poultry specialist to identify an appropriate time period.

Downtime is a period of time that starts with a barn/flock area being emptied of poultry and ends with the placement of new poultry. The period allows for the natural reduction in numbers of disease-causing micro-organisms (pathogens) within the barn/flock area.

Downtime between flocks within a barn or flock area should be maximized to allow adequate time for this pathogen reduction to occur.

Pathogen load is reduced in the absence of a host. The longer a barn or flock area is left empty between flocks, the less likely it is that disease organisms will remain a threat. Pathogen load is also significantly reduced with the removal of organic material and a thorough cleaning and disinfection process. Cleaning and disinfection surfaces poultry come into frequent contact with is particularly important as well as surfaces that pose a risk for residual contamination including: barn walls and flooring, waterers, feeders, heaters, ventilation systems (fans) and equipment used for cleaning and disinfection. It is important to prevent re-contamination of the barn/flock area following barn cleanout (cleaning and disinfection) and prior to placing poultry. When a full cleaning and disinfection is not performed other strategies to manage pathogen loads can be used including heating barns and treating litter.

To be effective, the whole barn or flock area should be clearly separated from other barns or flock areas (that still contain live poultry). This could potentially include adjoining barns between which there is a shared service area such as an egg packing room. If so, the egg packing room should be included in the cleaning process at the same time as the barn that has been emptied.

If there is not a break between flocks, or barns/flock areas are not emptied of poultry, an effective downtime should occur at least once a year as a minimum. If annual downtime is not performed, additional precautions should be taken as detailed in target outcome 2.1.3

Where "all in/all out" scheduling or maximized downtime as per section 2.1.2 is not possible, particular and constant focus on the application and enforcement of daily in-barn or flock area biosecurity procedures for both farm personnel and visitors is warranted.

Additional biosecurity measures are required to mitigate the potential disease risks from movements (e.g. poultry, people, equipment and vehicles) between premises and/or barns and flock areas within a premises. This is particularly important on farms with multi-age flocks, multi-species premises, and when there are new introductions and/or returning birds to allow for the separation/quarantining of poultry that are to be added to an existing flock and for the maintenance and hygiene of barns that contain multi-age flocks.

Critical areas include:

• managing and controlling access to RAZ
• ensuring clothing and footwear cleaning and disinfection or changes when entering and leaving the RAZ
• hand sanitation
• managing traffic flow and scheduling of activities on the site

2.2 Ongoing Monitoring of Health Status and Response

Know the health status of the flock and be prepared to react.

In order to recognize an important disease condition and effect appropriate and prompt action, it is critical to know the disease status of the flock. In the event of a reportable disease, early diagnosis and disease surveillance is critical in order to contain the pathogen.

It is not expected that keepers of poultry or their staff will be able to identify the signs of specific diseases. The diagnosis of diseases should be left to veterinarians and laboratories.

However, it is important that personnel are suitably experienced or trained in order to be able to identify any changes in behaviour, appearance, mortality patterns or productivity within the flock that may indicate an infectious disease is present.

If deviations from the norms are identified, people must know what actions to take and within what time frame. Early intervention reduces the size and scope of a disease event, reducing the number of infected poultry, the pathogen load in the barn/flock area/environment, and opportunities for pathogens to be carried from the site.

Early detection is vital to prevent the spread of disease, so a minimum of a daily walk through the flock is essential. This gives the opportunity to identify poultry that are demonstrating abnormal behaviour or signs of sickness.

Increase flock monitoring after higher risk activities such as placements, and vaccination crew or catching crew visits, and following higher risk periods such as seasonal risks (e.g. migratory birds close to the farm) and during local outbreaks.

The advantage of this approach is that sick poultry can be culled and removed from the flock and signs of disease can be spotted before increased mortality and decreased feed or water consumption are apparent. It will also ensure that all mortalities are removed from the flock daily.

Euthanasia and biosecurity considerations

Procedures for managing birds that are sick are in place to ensure their welfare while minimizing the risk of disease transmission. The NFACC Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Hatching Eggs, Breeders, Chickens and Turkeys (June 2016), requires that "sick or injured birds and birds that exhibit obvious signs of pain must be promptly treated or euthanized^{Footnote 1} by competent personnel". The code indicates that "To alleviate pain and suffering when there is no reasonable prospect for recovery, euthanasia of birds is necessary".

Similarly, the NFACC Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pullets and Laying Hens (2017) indicates: "sick or injured birds that are suffering and unlikely to recover must be euthanized without delay".

Wearing appropriate personnel protective equipment while performing the euthanasia of sick poultry can minimize contamination of clothing and hands, exposure of personnel and reduce the transmission of pathogens within and between flocks.

Assign trained personnel to euthanize poultry and securely store and transport the poultry to the storage and disposal area as per section 3.1.2 or securely package for submission to a diagnostic laboratory as per section 2.2.4

Following euthanasia of sick poultry, it is a best practice that all equipment used during this procedure be cleaned and disinfected and personnel should wash their hands and don clean PPE before returning to other duties.

Mortality records are a key tool in assessing the health of a flock. The keeping of records on a daily basis allows for the tracking of mortality numbers by day, establishment, or production cycles. A steady or sudden increase in mortality numbers is a clear indication that an infectious disease may be present.

Ideally mortality records should be cross-checked with feed and water consumption and/or production records to aid in the identification of causes of increased mortalities.

If record-keeping and/or observation indicates that the numbers of mortalities and culls are unusually high or carcasses have unusual signs of disease, or if significant factors such as a noteworthy drop in feed and/or water consumption or in production are identified, veterinary advice should be sought.

If an infectious disease is suspected or officially diagnosed, keepers of poultry and staff should have an action plan in place so the necessary procedures can be followed without confusion or delay.

Measures may include self-quarantine and an enhancement of routine biosecurity procedures.

Critical components of a disease response plan and self-quarantine include:

• obtaining a veterinary diagnosis
• informing farm personnel and service providers of the situation
• strictly controlling and restricting farm and flock access to only those people necessary for animal care and wellbeing
• temporarily halting the movement of poultry, eggs, manure, culled birds, and mortality and postponing deliveries
• performing enhanced biosecurity procedures including cleaning and disinfecting all equipment and performing clothing, boot changes, and hand washing on entry and exit to the CAZ and RAZ
• initiating treatment and communicating disease information/diagnosis as necessary to appropriate parties: (e.g. poultry boards and government)
• continuing to practice enhanced biosecurity and flock monitoring as per veterinary advice post diagnosis until the situation resolves
• contacting a federal veterinarian in the event of a suspected reportable disease

Collection of carcasses and/or samples for diagnostic purposes

Selection and submission of relevant samples is important to ensure that they provide the best possible information to assist in obtaining a disease diagnosis. Any movement of potentially infected birds or samples from birds to a diagnostic laboratory must prevent contamination of the samples and the potential transmission of pathogens off site.

• Contact your veterinarian to request a flock health inspection to obtain a tentative diagnosis. If samples are required for further diagnostic evaluation, request your veterinarian to collect and submit samples to a diagnostic laboratory. Your veterinarian will know what samples are required and the procedures for collecting and submitting
• If your veterinarian is unavailable or you have been instructed to submit samples, contact the laboratory to obtain the sample submission protocols and submission forms
• Consider submitting blood, swabs or tissues from live and recent mortality to reduce the risk of transmitting disease; the samples can provide good diagnostic value for certain diseases and be easily packaged for transport

Section 3 Operational Management

3.1 Mortality and Manure Management

Procedures for waste management are present on each premises.

Mortality Management

Effective mortality management procedures should include an action plan that directs the day-to-day handling of dead poultry found on the premises.

An infectious disease may be introduced into the flock without any clinical signs becoming apparent during its early incubation period. Low pathogenic diseases that result in no discernible or mild clinical signs may be present.

Assume any dead poultry (including sick birds which have been culled) could be infected with a pathogen. Handle appropriately to ensure that any potential pathogens are not spread beyond first the barn/flock area and then the premises level.

• Mortality should be promptly collected and removed from contact with the flock. Removal from the RAZ should occur as soon as possible and at least daily
  • Mortality that is not immediately removed from the RAZ, should be contained in leakproof, containers that prevent access by pests and poultry until removal at the end of the day
• To minimize potential exposure and spread of disease, people collecting mortality should wash and sanitize hands before resuming other activities within a barn/flock area. When there are concerns of zoonotic disease, disposable gloves are recommended
• It is a best practice to change PPE (for example boots and outer clothing) when moving between zones to minimize common contact between zones. This is particularly important when moving between barns or re-entering a barn following mortality collection and removal from the RAZ
• Suitable containers for collecting and transferring mortality include but are not limited to:
  • a leakproof pail or tote with a tight fitting lid
  • a labelled, closed cart designated for this purpose
  • a plastic leakproof bag

Dead poultry being transferred to the storage area and final disposal location should be moved in sealed containers so that no feathers, fluids or other parts of the carcass are able to escape and contaminate surfaces.

Each premises should have a properly designed dead bird isolation/storage system which fully contains carcasses. Dead birds are covered and protected from scavengers and pests through to final disposal (examples include chest freezer; closed transportable container; and an enclosed facility securely located from the flock, feed and water sources).

Effective mortality management procedures would include an accepted method of carcass disposal; ensure compliance with provincial and municipal guidelines.

Establish plans and procedures for managing the collection and disposal of routine levels of mortality and elevated mortality; this is frequently a requirement under provincial farm plans.

The movement of carcasses between poultry premises for disposal poses a risk for spreading disease and should be minimized.

Manure Management

Manure can be a high-risk source of pathogens; therefore, there should be a clear management strategy for its handling and storage.

Pathogens in manure can be spread by air, in dust, or on people, equipment and vehicles.

The safest practice is for manure to be composted on-site and disposed of away from poultry flocks. The composting process should be managed to ensure appropriate mixing and heating to inactivate pathogens prior to disposal.

Where manure is stored and spread on the premises, it should be stored and managed in a manner that does not allow for its accidental reintroduction into the RAZ.

All methods of manure handling, storage and disposal should meet the requirements of federal and provincial legislation.

3.2 Premises, Building, Equipment and Vehicle Cleaning and Disinfection

It is advisable to apply a consistent approach to cleaning and disinfection on the whole premises. It is more difficult for diseases to become established or spread in a generally clean environment, where buildings, equipment and vehicles are routinely cleaned and when necessary disinfected.

Cleaning and disinfection of barns and flock areas, to the extent possible, following flock cycles can help break the cycle of infection. When a full cleaning and disinfection is not achievable other strategies to manage pathogen loads can be used including heating barns and treating or composting litter.

Cleaning and disinfection (and personal sanitation such as hand washing, boot and clothing changes) take on increasing importance:

• when "all in/all out" placement of single-age poultry and maximizing downtime between flocks cannot be achieved
• when entering RAZs while birds are present and the birds will remain in production and on range/pasture production
• when entering sites where a RAZ incorporates multiple barns while birds are present and the birds will remain in production
• during and following disease outbreaks

The methods and degree of cleaning and disinfection can vary to meet the needs and situation. Written instructions will ensure that all individuals are clear about the procedures for cleaning and disinfection and will encourage consistency.

Written instructions should take into account seasonal climate changes and the challenges they pose.

3.3 Facility Maintenance

Well-maintained buildings and storage facilities play a significant role in successfully achieving several of the other target outcomes listed in this standard by:

• preventing access by pests and other animals and installing wild bird deterrents
• cleaning-up feed spills immediately
• ensuring that stored feed, bedding, and litter in the barns are not affected by rain
• being easier to clean and disinfect

In addition, maintenance procedures should ensure that poultry are kept in the best possible environment. Poorly maintained ventilation systems, for example, may help to create an environment that is favourable for the rapid buildup and spread of disease within a flock.

Facility maintenance also includes maintaining boundaries and barriers around the biosecurity zones.

• Prevent the accumulation and pooling of water in the CAZs and RAZs, particularly the areas around barns and range areas, and the generation of leachate from manure and mortality storage areas
• Pathways and laneways for vehicles, equipment and people should be hard surfaces that can be maintained clean
• Maintain the area around barns free from debris and vegetation and mow and/or maintain regularly
• When trees and shrubs are present (when used as shelter belts or on free range premises to provide shade), they should be selected to minimise wild bird attraction

3.4 Water/Feed/Bedding Management

Water Management

The water system (water source, storage, delivery and treatment systems) can be a source of pathogens. Contamination may occur from pests, wildlife and other sources through direct or indirect contact. Prevention and control measures can minimize if not eliminate this risk.

Sources of water that are susceptible to pathogen contamination include bodies of surface water (e.g. reservoirs, ponds, lakes and rivers), groundwater aquifers and rainwater collection systems. Surface water systems pose a significantly higher risk for the introduction of infectious organisms and undesirable substances and are not recommended for use without a functioning treatment system.

Manage water systems to ensure water quality; this may include, cleaning, disinfecting, and flushing systems and testing water quality.

Waterers, particularly those used in range and pasture production, should be designed and sited to minimize access to and contamination from pests.

Feed Management

Feed that has not been properly stored presents a risk to the flock. Feed that is exposed to or contains pests, may be contaminated with pathogens which will then be transferred to the flock. Feed which has become damp also provides an ideal environment for the rapid development of harmful organisms.

It is important to ensure that feed is handled and stored properly on the premises and purchased from a reliable source that has a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan or similar systems in place.

To reduce the attraction for wild birds, ensure feed storage cannot be accessed by wild birds and feed spills are immediately cleaned up.

Feeders, particularly those used in range and pasture production, should be designed and sited to minimize access and contamination by pests.

Bedding

Fresh bedding material that has not been properly stored and protected from contamination, particularly by wild bird and rodent pests, presents a risk to the flock. Bedding storage protects bedding from water, access by pests and other potential sources of contamination. The same principles as those applied to feed should be applied to bedding.

3.5 Pest Control Program

Pests (particularly insects, rodents and wild birds) can serve as a source and mechanism for spread of pathogens. Poultry exposure can be direct or indirect (contamination of feed, water, equipment and materials).

An integrated program of pest control relies on an effective management of the production environment, the maintenance and modernization of the facilities, and direct control methods (mechanical and chemical) to prevent introduction and spread of contagious disease organisms by pests.

Poultry keepers with range and/ or pasture production need to use a variety of methods to manage/control wild birds.

Garbage Management

If household and farm-related garbage is not effectively stored and disposed of, it can be a risk to the poultry flock by attracting pests and predators which can introduce disease either directly or indirectly by moving potentially contaminated garbage around the premises.

Garbage should be disposed of regularly and safely (in accordance with federal and provincial laws) and stored in a manner that prevents access by pests and predators.

3.6 Biosecurity Program and Training

It is important for all people to receive training/briefing before starting to work with poultry so they have a general understanding about all aspects of the process and not just their own tasks.

People who understand the purpose of a biosecurity measure are more likely to adopt the practice as part of their daily routine. They are more likely to ensure any visitors and service contractors act in accordance with the farm biosecurity practices.

The best way to ensure people (including family members if applicable) are clear on how to complete their assigned tasks is to have written procedures that are reviewed with the people doing the work and updated when necessary.

A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a documented procedure based on generally accepted good practices. It must be easy to read while describing the steps followed to meet an objective (for example an SOP that details the barn cleaning and disinfection procedure). SOPs should be followed at all times.

Additional provision for extra or more rigorous biosecurity measures in the event of a disease outbreak either on the premises or within the region should be included.

Keepers of poultry who do not employ staff and carry out all the activities on the premises themselves should still document their procedures. This will help make sure the target outcomes in this document are being addressed and it can serve as a guide for farming procedures when temporary assistance is required.

Annex A – Main Principles and Associated Recommendations Identified by the Technical Sub-Committee

The Avian Biosecurity Advisory Committee (ABAC) was mandated to identify practical, effective controls utilizing science-based analysis and objective literature. The membership of ABAC has representatives from the whole spectrum of potential users of this document.

This science-based document recommends practices to reduce the risk of transmission and maintain effective control of Avian Influenza or other highly contagious respiratory pathogens. For more detail on how this document was developed, please see the endnote.^{Footnote 2}

Often prevention and intervention methods need be done in a logical sequence to be effective. Adopting one recommendation without first doing another may render the action unsuccessful. Further, barn level recommendations and premises level recommendations are closely linked and the success of one is dependent on the other.

The following guidelines have been prioritized based on published infectious disease literature (i.e. principle 1 has the greatest potential for reducing risk of transmission and maintaining effective control of Avian Influenza compared to principle 2, etc.). Nevertheless, all principles are important.

Principle 1: Procedures for mortality management are present on each premises.

Principle 2: Know the health status of your flock and be prepared to react.

Principle 3: Each introduction or removal of birds from a barn or premises is carried out with appropriate scheduling, isolation or segregation to minimize introduction or spread of disease.

Principle 4: Ensure that access to the barn and premises is controlled through the establishment of protective zones and controlled access points.

Principle 5: Drinking water for birds should be free from significant pathogens and meet water quality standards for livestock/poultry consumption.

Principle 6: Measures are used to prevent introduction and spread of contagious disease organisms by pests.