Animal Health & Welfare Biosecurity

The introduction and spread of infectious diseases is an ever-present risk that can lead to increased mortality, production losses and public health hazards in animal production environments. Biosecurity is a set of preventative measures designed to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases, the objective being that 'prevention is better than cure'. It is a comprehensive approach, encompassing different methods of prevention and containment with responsibility spread across the food chain, from the primary producer in the first instance, to transporters, food producers, slaughter houses, veterinarians and others involved in animal production and trade.

The Poultry Industry should be aware of the correct procedures for the disposal of poultry carcasses, as prescribed by the European Communities Regulation (EC) 1069/2009 and the European Union (Animal By-Products) Regulations 2014, S.I. No. 187/2014.

In order to comply with the regulations and to reduce the incidence of poultry litter-related animal disease to a minimum, we ask all poultry farmers to implement the following points of Good Farming Practice:

1. EU Regulation 1069/2009 states it is illegal to burn, bury or dispose of carcasses by any other method than by those prescribed by the regulations.

2. Dead birds must be removed from poultry houses on at least a TWICE-DAILY basis. An accurate count should be kept of birds collected and the number recorded in the farm diary.

3. Carcasses must be safely stored in sealed barrels or wheelie bins while awaiting collection. Barrels should not be overfilled, open barrels or barrels with a plank of wood over them are not acceptable.

• Containers for the storage of carcasses must be covered, leak-proof and vermin proof
• Containers must be cleaned, washed and disinfected after each use; maintained in a clean condition and clean and dry before use. The water used for washing these containers should not come in contact with animals
• Containers must be labelled "Category 2 Material - Not for Animal Consumption" and all labels to be permanently attached to both sides of the container, clearly legible with letters of a minimum of 15 cms in height.

4. Carcase bins must be removed from the farm frequently for final disposal at an approved rendering plant.

5. Records of dates of collection and the number of barrels or bins collected must be maintained and kept available for inspection.

6. Records of the numbers of birds in, number of birds out, number of dead birds collected and disposed of must be kept and made available for inspection. Records of the quantities of poultry litter removed from houses, the date on which it is removed, the name of the hauler and the destination of the litter should be kept and made available for inspection.

7. Haulage trailers should be covered when transporting poultry litter.

8. Haulage trailers used for transporting litter should not be used for transporting animal fodder.

9. Sites for litter stacks/clamps must be on dry ground, vermin proof and remote from all water sources and proximity to livestock (including on neighbouring farms).

10. Water used for cleaning poultry houses should be captured and disposed of on land not used for livestock and remote from all water sources and proximity to livestock (including on neighbouring farms).

Farmers/ hauliers who accept litter from growers for land spreading must be made aware by the grower or the haulier that there are disease risks associated with the spreading of such litter, cattle should not be grazed on, or adjacent to, land on which such litter has been spread and farmers/hauliers must be advised of other measures to reduce the risk of disease (this advice is available from the local District Veterinary Office or the Department of Agriculture website).

This advice leaflet is intended to reduce the risk of disease in animals.

• Only accept litter from poultry farmers who have adequate systems in place to ensure all poultry carcases are removed from houses, stored and disposed of according to good practice;
• Vehicles used for the transportation of animal fodder should not be used for the transportation of poultry litter or any other waste material including chicken carcass material;
• Sites for litter stacks must be on dry ground, vermin proof and remote from all water sources and proximity to livestock (including on neighbouring farms);
• Animals should not be grazed on lands on which poultry litter has been spread;
• Do not spread poultry litter that contains poultry carcasses or parts of carcasses, do not chop litter and check lands thoroughly immediately after spreading to ensure the pasture is carcass free, remove all offending material. Where possible plough litter into land immediately after spreading.
• Where possible litter should only be spread on tillage land and immediately ploughed in, again check tillage land thoroughly to ensure land is carcass free;
• Where litter is ploughed into land keep dust to a minimum and ensure that there are no grazing animals in adjacent fields.
• Do not use land for grazing livestock;
• Avoid spreading and stockpiling litter in warm weather;
• There should be a three-year interval between land spreading of litter;
• Do not make silage from lands where litter has been spread;
• There are disease risks for animal and man associated with handling of and contact with poultry litter therefore care must be exercised at all times and any un-necessary contact should be avoided;
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling litter;
• Avoid spreading near waterways and comply with the recommended level of animal manure for land spreading;
• Consult your local District Veterinary Office or the Department of Agriculture website for further information.