Search

Biosecurity compliance is generally poor in all types of animal production systems around the world. Therefore, it is essential to define strategies to improve the implementation of biosecurity measures. This study evaluated the value of audits and visible cameras on compliance with biosecurity measures required when entering and exiting poultry barns on 24 poultry farms in Québec, Canada. Short term (first two weeks) and medium term (six months later) compliance were determined. Application of biosecurity measures was evaluated using hidden cameras. Video viewing revealed a total of 2748 visits by 259 different individuals. Results showed that bimonthly audits did not have any impact on medium term compliance. Visible cameras had a significant impact on changing boots (OR=9.6; 1.9-48.4) and respecting areas (contaminated vs. clean) during the visit (OR=14.5; 1.2-175.1) for the short term period. However, six months later, compliance declined and was no longer significantly different from controls. Duration and moment of the visit, presence of the grower or an observer, barn entrance design, number of barns, number of biosecurity measures requested, type of boots worn, gender and being a member of a grower's family were significantly associated with biosecurity compliance., (Crown Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Biosecurity compliance is an issue in all types of animal production. Poor compliance is frequently related to lack of knowledge or comprehension. Human dimensions, such as personality and attitudes were also suggested as being related to compliance. As part of a larger study, personality traits, experience, education and training of employees, visitors and growers were evaluated to assess their relationship with their compliance with biosecurity measures when entering and exiting poultry barns. Biosecurity compliance was evaluated using hidden cameras. One hundred fourteen individuals involved in a total of 2379 visits on 23 poultry farms responded to a personality test. Results demonstrated that several determinants of compliance exist, and some are related to personality, experience and education. Three personality traits were significantly associated with compliance: responsibility, complexity and action-oriented. Such information has important implications for the selection of job applicants or task attribution and to enhance effectiveness of training programs., (Crown Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The effectiveness of biosecurity measures depends largely on the consistency of their applications by all those involved in poultry production. Unfortunately, poor biosecurity compliance has been reported repeatedly in poultry, as well in all other major animal productions. As part of a larger study, we conducted an investigation on eight poultry farms in Quebec, Canada, to evaluate compliance of existing biosecurity measures using hidden cameras. The objectives were to evaluate and describe the application of biosecurity measures when entering and exiting poultry barns. A total of 44 different mistakes were observed from 883 visits done by 102 different individuals. On average, four errors were recorded per visit. The maximum number of errors made by one individual during one visit was 14. People observed over several visits made on average six different errors. Twenty-seven out of the 44 errors (61.4%) were related to area delimitation (clean versus contaminated), six to boots (13.6%), five to hand washing (11.4%), three to coveralls (6.8%) and three to logbooks (6.8%). The nature and frequency of errors suggest a lack of understanding of biosecurity principles. There is thus a need to improve biosecurity training by making educational material available to all poultry personnel demonstrating why and how to apply biosecurity measures., (© 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)