FEFAC (European Federation of Feed Manufacturers) clarifies that minimizing the risk of incidental spread of pathogens is everyone’s business: farmers, agricultural suppliers, grain collectors and farm visitors (advisors, service providers, etc.).
This is why the FEFAC has issued guidelines for each feed manufacturer to develop a biosecurity plan based on their own risk assessment. These guidelines are mainly divided into four:
1.- Each feed manufacturer must prepare a biosecurity plan, implement it and keep it updated. The plan must: be based on science, cover the entire operation from raw material acceptance to farm delivery to visitor control, be regularly maintained and reviewed, be tailored to each manufacturer and their unique needs.
2.- The legal requirements established in the feed hygiene regulations will be strictly applied to prevent feed from being carriers of pathogens. This involves purchasing raw materials from clearly identified sources. The scientific literature covers a lot the subject of some pathogens such as salmonella, but it is very limited in terms of a virus, therefore the risks must be analyzed and classified based on: the origin of the ingredients to prepare the feed, the exposure of them to potential contamination, the extent to which the feed ingredients were subject to risk mitigation measures.
3.- Measures must be taken to avoid the introduction of pathogenic agents in the feed mill apart from in the raw materials. It is important to review and control personnel, visitors, drivers, loading/reception areas, vehicles and all material that returns to the factory such as pallets, excess feed, bags, etc. These measures will help control pests and keep the facilities clean. Minimum hygiene requirements will be established for everything that enters the factory, whether vehicles, people, etc.
4.- Any transport and delivery of feed and visitors to farms must follow clear rules aimed at controlling the introduction of pathogens on the farm and the spread of pathogens from farm to farm. It is important to pay special attention to: cleaning and disinfection of vehicles, transportation, delivery and personnel.
If you are interested in the complete document, you can download it below:
recommendation_biosecurity_v10-1Download
Information obtained from the official FEFAC page: https://www.fefac.eu/
