Premise Identification and Biosecurity Morgan Farnell, Ph.D. Texas A

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Premise Identification and BiosecurityMorgan
Farnell, Ph.D.Texas AM Poultry Science
DepartmentMarch 24, 2006
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Introduction

• House Bill 2328 authorizes the Texas Animal
  Health Commission (TAHC) to register domestic and
  exotic fowl sellers, distributors or transports
  who do not participate in a disease surveillance
  program recognized by the TAHC.
• The TAHC has the authority to eradicate or
  control animal diseases.

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Purpose

• The primary purpose of the program is to protect
  Texas agriculture.
• Large numbers of animals are kept and sold in
  close quarters presenting a disease risk.
• It will ensure that fowl being sold or
  transported throughout the state do not pose a
  disease risk.
• It will also serve as a disease surveillance and
  monitoring system.

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Purpose

• Targets individuals involved in selling birds
• Not meant to be a hardship on the individual
• Not a money making venture
• Fees set as low as possible to recoup costs of
  administering the program
• Necessary to prevent and control the spread of
  costly and deadly diseases

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Reasons for Being

• Viral Pathogens
• Avian Influenza
• Exotic Newcastle Disease
• Infectious Laryngotracheitis
• Duck Plague
• Avian Encephalitis
• Paramyxovirus

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Reasons for Being

• Bacterial Pathogens
• Salmonellosis (Pullorum, Fowl Typhoid)
• Avian Tuberculosis
• Ornithosis
• Other foreign diseases not native to Texas
• These diseases must be reported to the TAHC as
  soon as possible

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Reasons for Concern

• U.S. / Mexico Border
• Fighting Cocks (Smuggling)
• Migratory Birds
• Asia-Alaska Flyways
• Backyard Flocks and Live Bird Markets
• Lack of expert veterinary care
• Commingling with other species
• Exposure to migratory birds
• Fighting cock community lack of communication

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Reasons for Concern

• Potential damage to U.S. Agriculture
• Already Suffering.
• International Trade
• Thirty percent of U.S. poultry exported
• Seventy percent of Brazilian poultry exported
• Poultry consumption in Europe and Asia down
• Declines of 10 Northern Europe, 20 France, 25
  India and 70 Italy.
• Also seeing declines in Africa of poultry
  consumption

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Agricultural Terrorism

• Plans in place to protect the US food supply
• Food supply is a vulnerable target
• Foreign Terrorists and Eco-Terrorists (ie. Animal
  Welfare Extremists)
• Economic implications
• Nationally
• Increased food costs
• Loss of jobs
• Globally
• Loss of international trade

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Why should I register?

• Help your neighborhood farmer
• Protect rural economies
• Protect your neighbors' source of income
• Protection of your own flock
• If a disease is found.
• Depopulation
• Quarantine
• Government intervention
• Fines up to 1,000.
• Class C or B misdemeanor
• Each day at fault counts as a separate penalty
• Civil lawsuits

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Why Should I Register?

• Participation is expected to provide access to
  federal indemnity for birds and other losses
  associated with control / eradication activities

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Examples of Outbreaks

• May 2002 Low Path AI
• 300,000 chickens killed in Texas
• April 2002 Exotic Newcastle Disease
• Backyard flock in El Paso
• State and Federal quarantines in five counties in
  Texas and New Mexico
• October 2002 Exotic Newcastle Disease
• 3,500,000 birds slaughtered
• 160 million cost 1,500 personnel
• Popped up in Arizona and Nevada
• May be because of migratory birds (ie. fighting
  cocks)

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Examples of Outbreaks

• Summer 2002 - Eight hundred flocks in
• El Paso, Texas and surrounding counties tested
  for Exotic Newcastle Disease
• 2,000 backyard birds, that were infected or
  exposed, were euthanized to stop the spread of
  the disease
• Winter 2004 Hi Path Avian Influenza found near
  Gonzales, TX
• Depopulation

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Exemptions for Premise ID

• Individual pet owners
• Non-profit backyard flocks (would be a good idea
  to register)
• Pet shops
• Exhibitors (Show regulations already in place)
• Retailers of baby poultry acquired from a
  certified National Poultry Improvement Plan
  Hatchery (but mixed species may require
  registration)
• Participation in the a recognized disease
  surveillance program (USDA NPIP, U.S. Avian
  Influenza Clean program)

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Who Must Register

• Poultry producers (that sell product)
• Auctions
• Dealers
• Wholesalers
• Haulers
• Live bird markets

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Record Keeping

• Records
• Buyer and sellers name
• County of origin
• Number of animals
• Description
• Sex, age, color, breed, and any individual ID
• Animal movement
• Must keep records for two years
• Individual identification not required for fowl
• May see testing and sanitation requirements in
  future legislation

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Cost

• Annual registration fee based on flock size of
  previous 12 months
• 25 lt 100 fowl
• 100 100 - 499 fowl
• 200 500 - 999 fowl
• 350 1,000 2,499 fowl
• 500 2,500 or more
• 500 Out of State Owners (But)
• 500 Distributor or transporter of fowl
• 700 Combination seller, distributor or
  transporter of fowl

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Disease Control

• If symptoms observed with high mortality call
  local vet.
• If symptoms are indicative of a reportable
  disease contact the TAHC immediately.
• Courses of Action
• Testing, quarantine, vaccination, depopulation,
  bird disposal, waste disposal, sanitation, down
  time, recovery, further monitoring, surveillance.

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Update

• Action of Texas proposed premise registration
  regulations postponed
• (February 17, 2006)
• Original action date July 1, 2006
• Voluntary premise ID still encouraged
• Premise ID required in WI and NC
• May see a national system in the near future

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Problems

• Constituent concerns
• Concerns over cost
• Concerns about privacy
• Regulation tweaking
• Enforcement
• Estimated over 200,000 premises in Texas 7,000
  currently registered

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Biosecurity
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Keep Your Distance

• Restrict access to your property
• Consider fencing off the rearing area
• Limit contact with other growers or visitors
• Prevent commingling of other species and with
  wild or migratory birds

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Keep It Clean

• Wear clean clothes
• Scrub shoes with disinfectant and wash hands
• Use foot baths and change regularly
• Clean and disinfect equipment
• Remove organic matter prior to disinfection
• Properly dispose of dead birds
• Put up a gate and signs, if practical

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Dont Haul Disease Home

• Disinfect cages and tires after traveling to
  another farm
• Rotate disinfectants and use according to label
  recommendations
• Shower and wash hair after exposure to birds at
  other venues prior to entering your farm.
• Quarantine new or exhibition birds from flock for
  2 - 4 weeks

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Dont Borrow Disease From Your Neighbor

• Dont share
• Lawn supplies
• Garden tools
• Poultry supplies
• If not practical clean and disinfect prior to use
  on your farm

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Know the Warning Signs of Infectious Bird Diseases

• Sudden increase in mortality
• Respiratory distress
• Watery / green diarrhea
• Lack of energy or poor appetite
• Drop in egg production or egg abnormalities
• Swelling around the eyes neck or head
• Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs and
  legs (AI)
• Tremors, drooping wings, circuling, twisting of
  the head and neck, or lack of movement (END)

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Report Sick Birds

• Early detection is very important to stop the
  spread of disease.
• If symptoms present
• Call local vet (Do this first!!!)
• Call the Texas Animal Health Commission
• 1-800-550-8242
• Call USDA Veterinary Services
• 1-866-536-7593 (toll free)
• 1-512-916-5555
• No charge for advice or sampling!!!!

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Acknowledgements

• Texas Animal Health Commission
• United States Department of Agriculture Animal
  and Plant Health Inspection Service
• Guinea Fowl International Association

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Thank you for your time!

• Contact Info
• Dr. Morgan Farnell
• Department of Poultry Science
• Texas AM University
• 107 Kleberg 2472 TAMU
• College Station, TX 77843
• Office Phone [phone]
• mfarnell_at_poultry.tamu.edu