A report published by the Food Standards Agency highlights improvements in hygiene on poultry farms in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Consistent application of hygiene measures on farms is important to prevent farmed poultry from becoming infected with Campylobacter.
In 2011, a study was carried out to determine whether there had been any improvement in hygiene measures implemented on poultry farms following a 2008 training programme for poultry catchers on key biosecurity messages.
Results showed there had been an improvement in poultry catchers’ awareness of the reasons to adopt good hygiene measures, and a corresponding increase in the application of certain hygiene measures, such as the use of boot dips and toilet and handwashing facilities. The study also identified a number of areas where catching teams needed to make further improvements to hygiene practices, such as disinfecting vehicles going on and off site, and wearing clean clothing onto the farm.
Many of these measures have been incorporated into the Red Tractor Farm Assurance Poultry Standards, which provide assurance about food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection. However, recommendations for areas where the standard may be further tightened have been made.
The Food Standards Agency continues to work with the industry and other government departments to tackle Campylobacter. More information is available at the links below.
http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2011/dec/biosecurity
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