The Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries (Registration and Testing) Order 1989

Statutory Instruments

1989 No. 1963

ANIMALS

ANIMAL HEALTH

The Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries (Registration and Testing) Order 1989

Made

19th October 1989

Coming into force

Articles 3 and 4

2nd April 1990

Remainder

26th October 1989

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales, acting jointly, in exercise of the powers conferred on them by sections 1, 72 and 86(1) of the Animal Health Act 1981(1) and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, hereby make the following Order:

Title and commencement

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries (Registration and Testing) Order 1989 and, except for articles 3 and 4 shall come into force on 26th October 1989.

(2) Articles 3 and 4 shall come into force on 2nd April 1990.

Interpretation

2.—(1) In this Order, unless the context otherwise requires–

“the Act” means the Animal Health Act 1981;

“the appropriate Minister” means, in relation to England, the Minister, and in relation to Scotland or to Wales, the Secretary of State;

“approved disinfectant” means a disinfectant for the time being listed in the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) Order 1978(2) as approved for use under a general order;

“authorised laboratory” means a laboratory authorised in writing by the Minister for the purposes of this Order;

“breeding flock” means any flock of poultry consisting of not less than 25 birds which are kept (or are being reared) for the production of hatching eggs or birds for (in either case) sale or supply for breeding purposes or for the production of eggs or for meat;

“the Breeding Flocks Register” means the register kept by the appropriate Minister under article 3(2);

“chicks” means poultry less than 72 hours old which have not been fed;

“chick box liner” means any material used to line a box or other container in which chicks are transported from a hatchery to any rearing premises;

“composite faeces sample” means a sample of faeces consisting of a number of individual samples of faeces calculated in accordance with the appropriate provisions of Part I of Schedule 3 each of which weighs not less than 1 gram and is taken from a site selected at random to represent the house or group of houses on the premises from which it is taken;

“hatching eggs” means eggs intended for incubation;

“the Hatcheries Register” means the register kept by the appropriate Minister under article 4(2);

“hatchery” means any premises, with a total incubator capacity of not less than 1,000 eggs, on which the eggs of poultry are incubated or hatched and from which chicks are sold or supplied;

“house” means–

(a)

a building (including a shed); or

(b)

a part of a building separated from other parts of that building by a solid partition and having its own ventilation system;

“inspector” means a person appointed to be an inspector for the purposes of the Act by the Minister or by a local authority and, when used in relation to an officer of the Minister, includes a veterinary inspector;

“laboratory” means any laboratory which has the necessary facilities and personnel for carrying out tests on samples mentioned in Parts I and II of Schedule 3 in accordance with the provisions of Part III of that Schedule;

“the Minister” and “the Ministry” mean respectively the Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food;

“poultry” means domestic fowls, turkeys, geese or ducks;

“premises” includes land;

“rearing premises” means any premises on which chicks are placed for rearing as replacement breeding stock;

“sanitised”, in relation to any eggs, means–

(a)

fumigated with formaldehyde;

(b)

sprayed with or immersed in an egg shell disinfectant in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions; or

(c)

made hygienic by any other method approved by the Minister;

“vermin” means rats, mice, flies or cockroaches;

“veterinary inspector” means a veterinary inspector appointed by the Minister.

(2) Until the coming into force of articles 3 and 4 any reference in this Order to a person whose name is entered in the Breeding Flocks Register or in the Hatcheries Register in respect of any premises shall be a reference to a person who is keeping a breeding flock on any premises or (as the case may be) to a person who is using any premises as a hatchery and whose name will be required to be entered in the Breeding Flocks Register or in the Hatcheries Register in respect of those premises in accordance with article 3 or 4 when those articles come into force.

(3) Any reference in this Order to the supply of any hatching eggs, chicks or birds shall be deemed to include the transfer of them from one premises to any other premises whether or not in the same ownership or occupation for breeding purposes or for the production of eggs or for meat.

(4) After 1st June 1990 any reference in this Order to a laboratory shall be a reference to an authorised laboratory.

(5) Any reference in this Order to a numbered article or Schedule is a reference to the article or Schedule bearing that number in this Order.

Registration of breeding flocks

3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (9) below, no person shall keep a breeding flock on any premises unless his name is entered in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of the premises on which the flock is kept.

(2) The appropriate Minister shall keep, for the purpose of paragraph (1) above, a register of persons as being persons entitled to keep a breeding flock on premises in respect of which their names are entered in the register.

(3) Where a person makes an application in writing to the appropriate Minister for his name to be entered in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of any premises the appropriate Minister shall, subject to paragraphs (4) and (5) below, enter his name in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of those premises and shall issue to the applicant a certificate of such registration.

(4) The appropriate Minister shall refuse to enter the name of any person in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of any premises unless all the particulars specified in Part I of Schedule 1 are notified to him in writing.

(5) The appropriate Minister shall refuse to enter the name of any person in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of any premises if, as a result of an inspection carried out on the premises by an inspector of the Minister, he is satisfied that any of the requirements specified in Part I of Schedule 2, in so far as it relates to the location or to the construction or adaption of premises on which a breeding flock is kept, is not being complied with or will not be able to be complied with by the date on which registration would otherwise have been effected.

(6) The registration of the name of a person in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of any premises shall remain in force for a period of one year.

(7) A person who wishes to renew the registration of his name in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of any premises for a further period of one year from the date of its expiry shall make an application in writing to the appropriate Minister before such date.

(8) On receipt of an application for the renewal of the registration of the name of a person in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of any premises the appropriate Minister shall renew such registration for a further period of one year from the date of its expiry unless, as a result of an inspection carried out on the premises by an inspector of the Minister, he is satisfied that the applicant has failed to comply with any of the requirements specified in Part I of Schedule 2 relating to the keeping of a breeding flock on those premises.

(9) The provisions of paragraph (1) above shall not apply in the case of a breeding flock consisting of birds which are kept solely for the production of hatching eggs or chicks for use (in either case) in the manufacture of vaccines or for research or other scientific purposes.

Registration of hatcheries

4.—(1) Subject to paragraph (9) below, no person shall use any premises as a hatchery unless his name is entered in the Hatcheries Register in respect of those premises.

(2) The appropriate Minister shall keep, for the purpose of paragraph (1) above, a register of persons as being persons entitled to use as a hatchery any premises in respect of which their names are entered in the register.

(3) Where a person makes an application in writing to the appropriate Minister for his name to be entered in the Hatcheries Register in respect of any premises the appropriate Minister shall, subject to paragraphs (4) and (5) below, enter his name in the Hatcheries Register in respect of those premises and shall issue to the applicant a certificate of such registration.

(4) The appropriate Minister shall refuse to enter the name of any person in the Hatcheries Register in respect of any premises unless all particulars specified in Part II of Schedule 1 are notified to him in writing.

(5) The appropriate Minister shall refuse to enter the name of any person in the Hatcheries Register in respect of any premises if, as a result of an inspection carried out on the premises by an inspector of the Minister, he is satisfied that any of the requirements specified in Part II of Schedule 2, in so far as it relates to the location or to the construction or adaption of premises which are used as a hatchery, is not being complied with or will not be complied with by the date on which registration could otherwise have been effected.

(6) The Registration of the name of a person in the Hatcheries Register in respect of any premises shall remain in force for a period of one year.

(7) A person who wishes to renew the registration of his name in the Hatcheries Register in respect of any premises for a further period of one year from the date of its expiry shall make an application in writing to the appropriate Minister before such date.

(8) On receipt of an application for the renewal of the name of a person in the Hatcheries Register in respect of any premises the appropriate Minister shall renew such registration for a further period of one year from the date of its expiry unless, as a result of an inspection carried out on the premises by an inspector of the Minister, he is satisfied that the applicant has failed to comply with any of the requirements specified in Part II of Schedule 2 relating to the use of those premises as a hatchery.

(9) The provisions of paragraph (1) above shall not apply in the case of any premises used solely for the incubation or hatching of eggs from which chicks are sold or supplied for use in the manufacture of vaccines or for research or other scientific purposes.

Duties of registered persons in respect of breeding flocks and hatcheries

5.  It shall be the duty of a person whose name is entered in the Breeding Flocks Register or in the Hatcheries Register in respect of any premises to ensure that the requirements specified in Part I of Schedule 2 relating to the keeping of a breeding flock on those premises or, as the case may be, the requirements specified in Part II of that Schedule relating to the use of those premises as a hatchery are complied with.

Taking of samples from breeding flocks for bacteriological testing for salmonella

6.  It shall be the duty of a person whose name is entered in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of any premises on which a breeding flock is kept by him to ensure that–

(a) samples are taken in respect of the flock in such manner as is specified in Part I of Schedule 3 and at such times as are so specified;

(b) such samples are identified in such a manner as to enable the laboratory to which they are submitted to know what type of samples they are, the name of the person entered in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of the premises on which they were taken, the address of those premises and the house (if any) on those premises from which they were taken;

(c) such samples (other than those required to be taken under the supervision of an officer of the Minister) are dispatched, within 48 hours of being taken, or, in the case of samples required to be taken over a period of 4 consecutive days, within 48 hours of the end of that period, to a laboratory for testing (at his expense) for the presence of salmonella in accordance with an appropriate bacteriological method set out in Part III of that Schedule; and

(d) in the case of samples required to be taken under the supervision of an officer of the Minister they are given to him after being so taken for testing by the Minister for salmonella in accordance with such a bacteriological method.

Taking of blood samples from domestic fowls in breeding flocks for serological testing forSalmonella pullorum

7.  It shall be the duty of a person whose name is entered in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of any premises on which a breeding flock containing any domestic fowls is kept by him to use his best endeavours so as to ensure that–

(a) blood samples are taken from the fowls in such manner as is specified in Part I of Schedule 4 and at such times as are so specified; and

(b) such samples are tested (at his expense) by or under the supervision of an officer of the Minister for the presence ofSalmonella pullorum in accordance with the serological method set out in Part II of that Schedule.

Taking of samples from hatcheries for bacteriological testing for salmonella

8.—(1) It shall be the duty of a person whose name is entered in the Hatcheries Register in respect of any premises used by him as a hatchery to ensure that–

(a) samples are taken from the hatchery in such manner as is specified in Part II of Schedule 3 and at such times as are so specified;

(b) such samples are identified in such a manner as to enable the laboratory to which they are submitted to know what type of samples they are, the name of the person entered in the Hatcheries Register in respect of the premises on which they were taken, the address of those premises and the address of the premises from which the hatching eggs from which the samples were obtained were supplied to the hatchery;

(c) such samples (other than those required to be taken under the supervision of an officer of the Minister) are dispatched, within 48 hours of being taken, to a laboratory for testing (at his expense) for the presence of salmonella in accordance with an appopriate bacteriological method set out in Part III of that Schedule; and

(d) in the case of samples required to be taken under the supervision of an officer of the Minister, they are given to him after being so taken for testing by the Minister for salmonella in accordance with such a bacteriological method.

Bacteriological testing of samples from breeding flocks and hatcheries and reporting of results of tests

9.—(1) It shall be the duty of the person in charge of a laboratory to which a sample has been submitted under article 6(c) or 8(c) to ensure that–

(a) the sample is tested for the presence of salmonella in accordance with an appropriate bacteriological method set out in Part III of Schedule 3;

(b) the result of such a test is reported in writing as soon as practicable to the person who submitted the sample; and

(c) where, as a result of an examination carried out in accordance with such a bacteriological method, salmonella is isolated from the sample, that a subculture is sent to the Lasswade Veterinary Laboratory of the Ministry situated at Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland or a Veterinary Investigation Centre of the Ministry in England or Wales.

(2) If a person to whom a report is made under paragraph (1)(b) above is not the person whose name is entered in the Breeding Flocks Register or the Hatcheries Register (as the case may be) in respect of the premises on which the sample was taken, he shall immediately pass that report to the person so registered.

Tampering with samples

10.—(1) No person shall treat or otherwise tamper with any sample which has been taken for the purposes of this Order.

(2) For the purposes of this article a person shall be deemed to have treated a sample if he does anything in relation to it which is likely to affect the result of the test required to be carried out under this Order.

Keeping of records

11.  A person whose name is entered in the Breeding Flocks Register or in the Hatcheries Register in respect of any premises shall–

(a) keep a record containing the information specified in Part I of Schedule 5 of any sample taken in respect of the breeding flock or hatchery (as the case may be) in accordance with article 6(a) or 8(a) (as appropriate);

(b) keep a record of the result of any test carried out on a sample in accordance with article 6(c) or 8(c) (as appopriate) which has been reported to him in accordance with article 9;

(c) keep a record containing the information specified in Part II of Schedule 5 of tests carried out on any day on blood samples in accordance with article 7(b);

(d) keep a record containing the information specified in Part III of Schedule 5 of the movement of any poultry, chicks or eggs onto and off the premises on which the breeding flock is kept;

(e) keep a record containing the information specified in Part IV of Schedule 5 of the movement of any eggs onto and off the premises used as a hatchery and of the movement of any chicks off such premises;

(f) retain any such record for a period of 1 year from the date on which the sample was taken, or from the date of the test or from the date on which the movement took place (as the case may be);

(g) produce any such record to an inspector or officer of the appropriate Minister on demand being made by such person at any reasonable time during that period and allow a copy of it or an extract from it to be taken.

Prohibition on vaccination

12.  No person shall vaccinate any poultry with any vaccine which is likely to affect the result of any test carried out under this Order on any sample taken from the poultry, except under the authority of a licence issued by a veterinary inspector and in accordance with any conditions subject to which the licence is issued.

Exemption

13.—(1) The appropriate Minister may, if he thinks it expedient to do so, issue a certificate exempting a person from any of the requirements of article 6, 7 or 8.

(2) A certificate issued under paragraph (1) above may be issued subject to such conditions as the appropriate Minister may think fit for preventing the spread of salmonella.

Inspections of premises

14.  The Minister may, before the appropriate Minister enters the name of any person in the Breeding Flocks Register or in the Hatcheries Register in respect of any premises or before the appropriate Minister renews the registration of a person in either of those registers in respect of any premises, carry out such inspections, examinations and tests as he considers necessary for the purpose of ascertaining whether any of the grounds referred to in this Order exist for the appropriate Minister to refuse to enter the name of a person in either of those registers or to refuse to renew any such registration.

Public inspection of registers

15.  The appropriate Minister shall make available for inspection at any reasonable time the names of persons who are for the time being entered in the Breeding Flocks Register or the Hatcheries Register and the addresses of the premises in respect of which they are so registered.

Powers of Ministry inspectors in cases of default

16.  If any person fails to take any action required to be taken by him under any of the provisions of this Order, an inspector of the Minister may, without prejudice to any proceedings arising out of such default, take, or cause to be taken, such action and the amount of any expenses reasonably incurred by him in doing so shall be recoverable by the appropriate Minister as a civil debt from the person in default.

Offences

17.  Any person who, without lawful authority or excuse, proof of which shall lie on him,–

(a) contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of this Order or with any provision of a licence or certificate issued under this Order; or

(b) fails to comply with any condition of any such licence or certificate,

commits an offence against the Act.

Local authority to enforce Order

18.  The provisions of this Order shall, except where otherwise expressly provided, be executed and enforced by the local authority.

In Witness whereof the Official Seal of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is hereunto affixed on 19th October 1989.

L.S.

John Gummer

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Sanderson of Bowden

Minister of State, Scottish Office

18th October 1989

Peter Walker

Secretary of State for Wales

18th October 1989

Article 3(4)

SCHEDULE 1

PART I particulars to be notified to the appropriate minister for the purposes of article 3(4)

(i) The name, address and telephone number of the applicant.

(ii) The address and telephone number of the premises on which the flock is to be kept.

(iii) The name of the person in charge of the premises on which the flock is to be kept (if not the applicant).

(iv) The species of birds in the flock.

(v) The approximate number of birds in the flock.

Article 4(4)

PART II particulars to be notified to the appropriate minister for the purposes of article 4(4)

(i) The name, address and telephone number of the applicant.

(ii) The address and telephone number of the premises which are to be used as a hatchery.

(iii) The name of the person in charge of the premises which are to be used as a hatchery (if not the applicant).

(iv) The incubator capacity of the premises which are to be used as a hatchery and the species of birds to be hatched there.

Article 5

SCHEDULE 2

PART I requirements relating to the keeping of a breeding flock

1.  A person whose name is entered in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of any premises on which a breeding flock is kept by him (“a registered person”) shall ensure that the premises are located and constructed or adapted so as to be suitable for all operations carried out on those premises in connection with the flock and so as to enable the provisions of paragraph 2 below to be complied with on those premises.

2.  A registered person shall ensure that on the premises on which the breeding flock is kept–

(1) effective measures are taken so as to ensure that–

(a) poultry houses and buildings or parts of buildings used to store eggs are not infested by vermin; and

(b) poultry houses in which poultry are housed permanently throughout their rearing or laying periods are not accessible to any other birds at any time;

(2) domestic animals are not permitted access to poultry houses;

(3) footbaths containing an approved disinfectant are maintained outside each house and the disinfectant is renewed as necessary and, in any event, at least once every 7 days;

(4) no person enters a poultry house unless he is wearing disposable overall clothing and boots or overall clothing and boots which are capable of being cleansed and disinfected or overall clothing which is capable of being laundered and boots which are capable of being cleansed and disinfected;

(5) no person leaves a poultry house without immediately cleansing and disinfecting his boots and washing his hands;

(6) after a poultry house has been depopulated of poultry all manure is removed from it and the house is cleansed and disinfected with an approved disinfectant;

(7) eggs are collected from the flock at least twice a day or, in the case of a flock consisting of ducks or geese, at least once a day;

(8) all broken, leaking, dirty and dented eggs are collected in separate containers from other eggs;

(9) no broken, leaking, dirty or dented eggs are incubated;

(10) all eggs intended for incubation are sanitised;

(11) all eggs which have been sanitised are stored in clean, dust-free rooms to which poultry are not permitted access and which are used exclusively for this purpose and kept at a temperature of 13°–15°C (55°–60°F) and at a relative humidity of 70–80%; and

(12) all equipment used for catching or transporting poultry is cleansed and disinfected with an approved disinfectant before each occasion on which it is used.

3.  A registered person shall ensure that an inspector of the Minister is permitted, on demand at any reasonable time, to enter the premises on which the flock is kept in order to ascertain whether the requirements specified in paragraph 1 or 2 above are being complied with on the premises.

Article 5

PART II requirements relating to the use of any premises as a hatchery

1.  A person whose name is entered in the Hatcheries Register in respect of any premises used by him as a hatchery (“a registered person”) shall ensure that the premises are located and constructed or adapted so as to be suitable for all operations carried out on those premises and so as to enable the provisions of paragraph 2 below to be complied with on those premises and, in particular, a registered person shall ensure that those premises are constructed so that–

(a) a one way system for the movement of eggs and chicks is operated; and

(b) a separate ventilation system exists for each work area; or

(c) the airflow is in the same direction as the movement of eggs and chicks.

2.  A registered person shall ensure that on the premises used as a hatchery–

(1) broilers and stock intended for the production of eggs for human consumption are hatched separately from each other;

(2) pedigree, grandparent and parent stock are hatched separately from each other and from stock intended for the production of eggs for human consumption or meat;

(3) eggs of different species of birds are hatched separately from each other;

(4) eggs are sanitised before incubation;

(5) chick sexing tables and equipment are cleansed and disinfected between hatches using an approved disinfectant;

(6) all equipment which is to be returned to individual premises on which breeding flocks are kept is cleansed and disinfected with an approved disinfectant before it is returned;

(7) all vehicles used for transporting equipment, eggs or chicks are cleansed and disinfected with an approved disinfectant before each occasion on which they are used;

(8) hatchers, hatching rooms, take off rooms, sexing rooms, holding rooms and dispatch rooms are cleansed and disinfected between hatches, and that all other rooms are cleansed and disinfected with an approved disinfectant each week;

(9) all equipment used for vaccinating birds is cleansed and disinfected with an approved disinfectant, or otherwise sterilised according to the manufacturers' instructions between hatches.

3.  A registered person shall ensure that an inspector of the Minister is permitted, on demand at any reasonable time, to enter the premises used as a hatchery in order to ascertain whether the requirements specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 above are being complied with on the premises.

Article 6(a)

SCHEDULE 3

PART I samples to be taken from breeding flocks for bacteriological testing

1.  Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 2 below, the number of samples to be taken shall be as follows–

Number of birds kept in a house or, on premises on which birds have free access to more than one house, number of birds in each group of houses on such premises	Number of samples to be taken from that house or group of houses on those premises
25–29	20
30–39	25
40–49	30
50–59	35
60–89	40
90–199	50
200–499	55
500 or more	60

2.  The samples to be taken shall comprise–

(a) one chick box liner, up to a maximum of 10, for every 500 chicks delivered from each hatchery to any rearing premises on any day, such samples to be taken on the day of the arrival of the chicks there;

(b) the carcases of all chicks, up to a maximum of 60, from each hatchery, which are dead on arrival at any rearing premises, such samples to be taken on the day of the arrival of the chicks there;

(c) the carcases of all birds, up to a maximum of 60, which die or are culled within 4 days of their arrival at any rearing premises or, in the case of birds hatched on any rearing premises, within 4 days of being hatched;

(d) the carcases of all birds, up to a maximum of 60, which die or are culled over a period of 4 consecutive days when between 3 and 5 weeks of age, which samples shall be taken over such period, except that, if the total number of such carcases taken during such period is less than the number of samples specified in the second column of the table in paragraph 1 above the difference shall be made up by–

(i) a composite faeces sample consisting of an equivalent number of individual samples, or

(ii) an equivalent number of cloacal swabs, taken at the rate of one swab from each bird;

(e) the carcases of all birds at grandparent level and above, up to a maximum of 60, which die or are culled over a period of 4 consecutive days when between 8 and 12 weeks of age, which samples shall be taken over such period, except that, if the total number of carcases taken during such period is less than the number of samples specified in the second column of the table in paragraph 1 above the difference shall be made up by–

(i) a composite faeces sample consisting of an equivalent number of individual samples, or

(ii) an equivalent number of cloacal swabs, taken at the rate of one swab from each bird;

(f) (i) the carcases of all birds, up to a maximum of 60, which die or are culled over a period of 4 consecutive days taken either 3 to 5 weeks before the surviving birds are transferred to laying accommodation, or when the birds are between the ages of 16 and 22 weeks in the case of domestic fowls, 18 and 22 weeks in the case of ducks, 26 and 30 weeks in the case of turkeys and 30 and 36 weeks in the case of geese, whichever occurs later, which samples shall be taken over such a period, except that, if the total number of carcases taken during such period is less than the number of samples specified in the second column of the table in paragraph 1 above the difference shall be made up by––a composite faeces sample consisting of an equivalent number of individual samples, or–an equivalent number of cloacal swabs, taken at the rate of one swab from each bird; and

(ii) a single composite sample of 50 grams of dust consisting of equal amounts of dust from each ventiliation outlet in the house;

(g) in the case of birds whose eggs are hatched at a hatchery with a total incubator capacity of less than 1,000 eggs or whose eggs are not being hatched–

(i) a composite faeces sample consisting of a number of individual samples calculated in accordance with the said table, or

(ii) a number of cloacal swabs, calculated in accordance with the table in paragraph 1 above and taken at the rate of one swab from each bird;

such samples being taken within 1 week of the birds attaining 26 and 30 weeks of age and at 8 week intervals thereafter;

(h) after a house has been depopulated of poultry and before it is restocked the following samples shall be taken–

(i) an individual large cotton bud swab moistened with sterile Buffered Peptone Water (BPW)(3) from each fan housing;

(ii) an individual large cotton bud swab moistened with sterile BPW from––each of the four corners of the house at floor level;–the centre of each of the four walls of the house at floor level, and–two crevices in the house;

(iii) each food weighing hopper or each food dispensing hopper within each house; and

(i) in the case of any nest boxes which have been removed from a house, before they are put back in the house swabs moistened with sterile BPW shall be taken from the interior of such boxes at the rate of one in 20.

3.  In the case of domestic fowls, the samples referred to in paragraph 2(f) above, other than the carcases of birds, shall be taken under the supervision of an officer of the Minister.

4.  Where any samples are taken over a period of 4 consecutive days such samples shall be stored in a refrigerator at between 1°C and 4°C until they are dispatched to a laboratory and, in the case of any other samples, where they cannot be dispatched to a laboratory within 24 hours of being taken they shall be stored in a refrigerator at that temperature until so dispatched.

Article 8(a)

PART II samples to be taken from hatcheries for bacteriological testing

1.  The samples to be taken shall comprise–

(a) composite samples of meconium taken from 250 chicks every 7 days, one such sample being taken from those chicks hatched from eggs supplied to the hatchery from any particular premises; or

(b) samples comprising–

(i) the carcases of all chicks which are dead in the shells of eggs supplied to the hatchery from any particular premises, and

(ii) the carcases of all chicks hatched from eggs supplied to the hatchery from any particular premises and which have been culled,

such samples being taken every 7 days, up to a maximum of 50 in total; and

(c) the carcases of all chicks hatched from eggs supplied to the hatchery from any particular premises and which have been culled, up to a maximum of 50, such samples to be taken every 28 days under the supervision of an officer of the Minister.

2.  Samples taken for the purposes of paragraph 1(a) and (b) above shall be taken, every 28 days, under the supervision of an officer of the Minister.

3.  Where any samples cannot be dispatched to a laboratory within 24 hours of being taken they shall be stored in a refrigerator at between 1°C and 4°C until so dispatched.

Article 6(c) and (d),8(c) and (d) and 9

PART III bacteriological methods for testing for salmonella

1.  Bacteriological method (Rappaports) for the detection of salmonella in chick box liners, cloacal swabs, composite faeces samples, meconium samples, carcases, dust and environmental swabs (ie: swabs taken from fan housings, walls, floors, crevices, food weighing and dispensing hoppers and nest boxes).

Samples submitted for testing for the presence of salmonella shall be examined in the following prescribed manner on consecutive days and, where a laboratory at which samples have been received for testing on any day is unable to commence such an examination on that day, the samples shall be stored in a refrigerator at between 1°C and 4°C until required for examination.

Day 1

(a) Chick box liners: a one gram portion shall be taken from a soiled area on each liner and the portions from separate liners shall be bulked together and placed in Buffered Peptone Water (BPW)(a), at the rate of 1 gram of liner in 10 ml of BPW up to a maximum of 10 grams in 100 ml of BPW.

(b) Composite faeces and meconium samples: the samples shall be thoroughly mixed and a sub-sample weighing not more than 10 grams shall be placed in BPW at the rate of 1 gm sample to 10 ml BPW to a maximum of 10 grams in 100 ml BPW.

(c) Cloacal swabs: Cloacal swabs shall be bulked together in batches and placed in BPW at the rate of 1 swab to 4 ml BPW up to a maximum of 30 swabs in 120 ml BPW.

(d) Dust samples: the composite sample shall be thoroughly mixed and a sub-sample of 10 grams shall be placed in 225 ml of BPW.

(e) Environmental swabs shall be bulked together in batches and placed in BPW at the rate of 1 swab to 10 ml BPW up to a maximum of 10 swabs in 100 ml BPW.

(f) Carcases of birds: the following organs shall be removed from the carcases of birds–

(i) from chicks – samples of the yolk sac, liver and terminal intestines (to include portions of small intestines, large intestine and caecal tonsil),

(ii) from birds (other than chicks) – samples of liver and terminal intestines (to include portions of small intestines, large intestine and caecal tonsil).

The samples of organs taken from the carcases of birds submitted shall then be bulked together and placed in BPW at the rate of 1 gram of bulked tissue in 10 ml BPW up to a maximum of 10 grams of tissue in 100 ml BPW.

The inoculated BPW shall then be incubated at 37°C for 18–24 hours.

Day 20.1 ml from the incubated BPW shall be inoculated into 10 ml of Rappaports Vassiliadis (RV) broth (b) and incubated at 42.5°C .266 0.5°C for 18–24 hours.

Day 3The RV broth shall be plated out on to two plates of Brilliant Green Agar (BGA) (d) using a 2.5 mm diameter loop. The BGA plates shall be inoculated with a droplet taken from the edge of the surface of the fluid and drawing the loop over the whole of one plate in a zigzag pattern and continuing to the second plate without recharging the loop. The space between the loop streaks shall be 0.5–1.0 cm. The plates shall be incubated at 37°C for 18–24 hours, and the RV broth reincubated at 42.5°C .266 0.5°C for a further 18–24 hours.

Day 4

(i) The plates of BGA shall be examined and a minimum of 3 colonies from the plates showing suspicion of salmonella growth shall be subcultured on to a blood agar plate and a MacConkey agar plate and into biochemical composite media or equivalent. These media shall be incubated at 37°C for 18–24 hours.

(ii) The reincubated RV broth shall be plated out, and the plates incubated, as described in Day 3.

Day 5

(i) The incubated plates and composite media or equivalent shall be examined and the findings recorded, discarding cultures which are obviously not salmonella. Slide serological tests shall be performed using salmonella polyvalent “O” (Groups A–S) and polyvalent “H” (phase 1 and 2) agglutinating sera on selected suspect colonies collected from the blood agar or MacConkey plates. If reactions occur with one or both sera, the colonies shall be typed to Group level by slide serology.

(ii) The plates of BGA prepared at Day 4 (ii) shall be examined and further action taken as described in Day 4 (i) and Day 5 (i).

2.  Bacteriological method (Selenite) for the detection of salmonella in chick box liners, cloacal swabs, composite faeces samples, meconium samples and carcases.

Samples submitted for testing for the presence of salmonella shall be examined in the following prescribed manner on consecutive days and, where a laboratory at which samples have been received for testing on any day is unable to commence such an examination on that day, the samples shall be stored in a refrigerator at between 1°C and 4°C until required for examination.

Day 1

(a) Chick box liners: a one gram portion shall be taken from a soiled area on each liner and the portions from separate liners shall be bulked together and placed in Selenite F broth (c) at the rate of 1 gram of liner to 10 ml broth up to a maximum of 10 grams of liner in 100 ml broth.

(b) Composite faeces and meconium samples: the sample shall be thoroughly mixed and a sub-sample weighing not more than 10 grams shall be placed in Selenite F broth at the rate of 1 gram of faeces to 10 ml broth up to a maximum of 10 grams of faeces in 100 ml broth.

(c) Cloacal swabs: cloacal swabs shall be bulked together in batches and placed in Selenite F broth at the rate of 1 swab to 4 ml broth up to a maximum of 30 swabs in 120 ml broth.

(d) Carcases of birds: the following organs shall be removed from the carcases of birds–

(i) from chicks – samples of the yolk sac, liver and terminal intestines (to include portions of small intestines, large intestine and caecal tonsil).

(ii) from birds (other than chicks) – samples of liver and terminal intestines (to include portions of small intestines, large intestine and caecal tonsil).

The samples of organs taken from the carcases of birds submitted shall then be bulked together and placed in Selenite F broth at the rate of 1 gram of bulked tissue in 10 ml of broth up to a maximum of 10 grams of tissue in 100 ml broth.

The inoculated Selenite F broth shall then be incubated at 37°C for 18–24 hours.

Day 2

(i) The Selenite F broth shall be plated out on to two plates of Brilliant Green Agar (BGA) (d) using a 2.5 mm diameter loop. The BGA plates shall be inoculated with a droplet taken from the edge of the surface of the fluid and drawing the loop over the whole of one plate in a zigzag pattern and continuing to the second plate without recharging the loop. The space between the loopstreaks shall be 0.5 cm–1.0 cm.. The plates shall be incubated at 37°C for 18–24 hours.

(ii) The Selenite F broth shall then be reincubated at 37°C for a further 18–24 hours.

Day 3

(i) The plates of BGA shall be examined and a minimum of 3 colonies from the plates showing suspicion of salmonella growth shall be subcultured on to a blood agar plate and a MacConkey agar plate and into biochemical composite media or equivalent.

These media shall be incubated at 37°C for 18–24 hours.

(ii) The reincubated Selenite F broth shall be plated out and incubated as described in Day 2 (i).

Day 4

(i) The incubated plates and composite media or equivalent shall be examined and the findings recorded, discarding cultures which are obviously not salmonella. Slide serological tests shall be performed using salmonella polyvalent “O” (Groups A–S) and polyvalent “H” (phase 1 and 2) agglutinating sera on selected suspect colonies collected from the blood agar or MacConkey plates. If reactions occur with one or both sera, the colonies shall be typed to Group level by slide serology.

(ii) The plates of BGS prepared at Day 3 (ii) shall be examined and further action taken as described in Day 3 (i) and Day 4 (i).

(a) Buffered Peptone Water – Edel and Kampelmacher (1973) (commercially available as Oxoid CM 509, Lab M46 or equivalent)

(b) Rappaports Vassiliadis (RV) Broth – Vassiliadis et al (1976) (commercially available as Oxoid CM 669 or equivalent).

(c) Selenite F broth – Liefson (1936) (commercially available as Oxoid CM 395 and L121, Lab M44a and 44b or equivalent)(a), (b) and (c) should be reconstituted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

(d) Brilliant Green Agar (Modified) – Edel and Kampelmacher (1969) (commercially available as Oxoid CM 329, Lab M34 or equivalent)The agar should be reconstituted according to the manufacturer’s instructions and poured into 9 cm diameter plates.

References:

Liefson E. (1936) American Journal of Hygiene 24, 423–432.

Edel, W. & Kampelmacher, E.H. (1969) Bulletin of the World Health Organisation 41, 297–306.

Edel W. & Kampelmacher E.H. (1973) Bulletin of the World Health Organisation 48, 167–174.

Anon (1969) ISO 6579 International Organisation for Standardisation, Geneva.

Vassiliadis, P., Pateraki, E., Papaiconomou, N., Papadakis, J.A.,

and Trichopoulos, D. (1976) Annales de Microbiologie (Institut Pasteur) 127B, 195–200.

Article 7(a)

SCHEDULE 4

PART I blood samples to be taken for serological testing for salmonella pullorum

1.  Blood samples shall be taken, by or under the supervision of an officer of the Minister, from domestic fowls between 3 and 5 weeks before they are transferred to laying accommodation or when they are between 16 and 22 weeks of age, whichever occurs later.

2.  The number of birds from which blood samples shall be taken shall be as follows–

(a) in the case of birds at grandparent level and above, all birds; and

(b) in the case of birds at parent level, a number calculated in accordance with the following table–

Number of birds at parent level required to be sampled for testing for Salmonella pullorum

Number of birds kept in a house or, on premises on which birds have free access to more than one house, number of birds in each group of houses on such premises	Number of birds to be sampled in that house or in that group of houses on those premises
300 or less	All birds up to 150
301–400	160
401–4000	170
4001 or more	180

3.  The samples shall comprise 0.02 ml of blood taken from a wing vein of a bird by pricking with a suitable needle.

Article 7(b)

PART II serological method for testing for salmonella pullorum

The rapid plate whole blood test shall be used for the testing of blood samples forSalmonella pullorum which tests shall be carried out as follows–

(1) 0.02 ml of blood taken from a wing vein of a bird, after pricking with a suitable needle, shall be placed on a white ceramic tile using a loop of the appropriate size.

(2) 0.04 ml of polyvalent crystal violet stainedSalmonella pullorum antigen(4) shall be added to the blood and mixed with it.

(3) The tile shall be rocked gently for 2 minutes after which time the test shall be read.

(4) All bleeding needles and loops must be washed in a normal saline solution(5) after each bird has been sampled and tested which solution must be renewed after every 200 birds have been sampled and tested.

Article 11(a)

SCHEDULE 5

PART I records of samples taken in respect of a breeding flock or a hatchery

A person whose name is entered in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of any premises on which a breeding flock is kept by him or whose name is entered in the Hatcheries Register in respect of any premises used by him as a hatchery shall keep a record of samples taken in respect of the flock or hatchery (as the case may be) containing the following information–

(i) the date on which the sample was taken;

(ii) a description of the type of sample taken; and

(iii) in the case of samples taken in respect of a breeding flock, the identity of the house or group of houses from which the samples were taken and, in the case of samples taken from a hatchery, the address of the premises from which the hatching eggs from which the samples were obtained were supplied to the hatchery.

Article 11(c)

PART II records of tests carried out on blood samples from breeding flocks

A person whose name is entered in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of any premises on which a breeding flock is kept by him shall keep a record of tests carried out on any day on blood samples taken from domestic fowls in the flock which record shall contain the following information–

(i) the date of the tests;

(ii) the number of birds from which blood samples were tested on that day; and

(iii) the number of birds giving a positive reaction to tests forSalmonella pullorum carried out on that day.

Article 11(d)

PART III records of the movement of poultry,chicks and eggs onto and off any premises on which a breeding flock is kept

A person whose name is entered in the Breeding Flocks Register in respect of any premises on which a breeding flock is kept shall keep a record of the movement of any poultry, chicks and eggs onto and off such premises which record shall contain the following information–

(i) the date of the movement;

(ii) the number of poultry, chicks or eggs moved;

(iii) the identity of the house or group of houses in which any poultry, chicks or eggs moved onto the premises were placed or from which any poultry, chicks or eggs were moved off the premises;

(iv) in the case of any poultry, chicks or eggs moved onto the premises, the address from which they were brought there; and

(v) in the case of any poultry, chicks or eggs moved off the premises, the address of the premises to which they were moved.

Article 11(e)

PART IV records of the movement of eggs onto,and off and of the movement of chicks off,any premises which are used as a hatchery

A person whose name is entered in the Hatcheries Register in respect of any premises used by him as a hatchery shall keep a record of the movement of any eggs onto and off, and of the movement of any chicks off, such premises, which record shall contain the following information–

(i) the date of the movement;

(ii) in the case of the movement of any eggs onto the premises, the address of the premises from which they were moved and the number of eggs moved;

(iii) in the case of the movement of any eggs or chicks off the premises the address of the premises to which they were moved and the number of eggs or chicks moved.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order prohibits (with two exceptions) a person from keeping a breeding flock on any premises or from using any premises as a hatchery unless his name is entered in the Breeding Flocks Register or in the Hatcheries Register in respect of those premises, both such registers being kept by the appropriate Minister (the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the Secretary of State for Scotland or Wales) for the purposes of the Order. Such registration will remain in force for a period of one year and will thereafter be renewed annually by the appropriate Minister unless following an inspection carried out on the premises, he is satisfied that the registered person has failed to comply with certain specified requirements relating to the keeping of a breeding flock on the premises or to the use of the premises as a hatchery (articles 3 and 4 and Schedules 1 and 2).

These prohibitions do not apply in the case of (i) a breeding flock consisting of birds which are kept solely for the production of hatching eggs or chicks for use in the manufacture of vaccines or for research or other scientific purposes or (ii) any premises which are used solely for the incubation or hatching of eggs from which chicks are sold or supplied for such use or for any such purposes (articles 3(9) and 4(9).

The Order requires a registered person to ensure that samples are taken in respect of the breeding flock or hatchery and are submitted to a laboratory for testing for the presence of salmonella (other than samples taken under the supervision of an officer of the Minister which are required to be given to that officer for testing for this purpose) (articles 6 and 8 and Schedule 3).

A person registered in respect of a breeding flock containing any domestic fowls is also required to ensure that blood samples are taken from the fowls for testing, by or under the supervision of an officer of the Minister, forSalmonella pullorum(article 7 and Schedule 4).

The Order also requires the person in charge of a laboratory to which any sample taken in respect of a breeding flock or a hatchery has been submitted to ensure that the test is carried out in a required manner and that the result of the test is reported to the person who submitted the sample and who, if he is not the person registered in respect of the flock or hatchery in respect of which the sample was taken, is required to pass the report to the person so registered (article 9).

The Order also contains provisions which–

(1) prohibit any tampering with samples (article 10);

(2) require registered persons to keep records of samples taken and, of the results of tests on samples and to keep records of the movement of poultry, chicks and eggs onto and off any premises on which a breeding flock is kept or which are used as a hatchery (article 11);

(3) prohibit (except under licence) the vaccination of poultry with any vaccine which is likely to affect the result of any test carried out under the Order on any sample taken from the poultry (article 12); and

(4) enable the appropriate Minister to issue a certificate exempting any person from the sampling and testing provisions of the Order subject to such conditions as the appropriate Minister may think fit for preventing the spread of salmonella (article 13).

The provision requiring the registration of a person who keeps a breeding flock on any premises or who uses any premises as a hatchery shall come into force on 2nd April 1990. Prior to that date the duties of a registered person under the Order shall be the duties of a person who is keeping a breeding flock on any premises or who is using any premises as a hatchery and whose name will be required to be entered in the Breeding Flocks Register or in the Hatcheries Register in respect of the premises when those provisions come into force (articles 1(2) and 2(2)).

Until 1st June 1990 samples (other than blood samples) taken under the Order are required to be tested at laboratories which have the necessary facilities and personnel for carrying out the tests in accordance with the Order and after that date the samples are required to be tested at laboratories authorised in writing by the Minister for this purpose (article 2(4)).

For the purposes of this Order “breeding flock” means any flock of poultry consisting of not less than 25 birds which are kept (or are being reared) for the production of hatching eggs or birds for sale or supply for breeding purposes or for the production of eggs or for meat and “hatchery” means any premises, with a total incubator capacity of not less than 1,000 eggs, on which the eggs of poultry are incubated or hatched and from which chicks are sold or supplied (article 2(1)).

(1)

1981 c. 22; as applied by S.I. 1989/285; section 86(1) contains a definition of “the Ministers” relevant to the exercise of the statutory powers under which this Order is made.

(2)

S.I. 1978/32; relevant amending instruments are S.I. 1989/144 and 1555.

(3)

Buffered Peptone Water – Edel and Kapelmacher (1973) (Commercially available as Oxoid CM 509, Lab M46 or equivalent).

(4)

S. pullorum antigen must contain standard and variant strains ofS. pullorum stained with crystal violet and standardised against international standard sera raised against the standard and variant strains (O.I.E. 1986).

(5)

Normal saline solution is prepared by dissolving saline tablets in water according to the manufacturers instructions. Reference: O.I.E. (1986) International Zoosanitary Code 5th Edition, 362–364 (updated May 1988 as International Animal Health Code, updated pages 45 to 47).