Symposium on biosecurity in livestock farms/Symposium sur la biosécurité en élevage

In Progress....

Organised by FESASS, under the auspices of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the European Union and in partnership with the Belgian Services (FASFC).

The aim of the conference was to review the threats and existing standards, then to take stock of achievements in the field of biosecurity (particularly in the cattle sector), to assess their relevance and the conditions for their implementation, and to look to the future by considering the contributions of research and projects led by farmers’ animal health organisations.

The audience 

Open to all players in the livestock and animal health sector, the symposium was attended by around 150 participants. These included many CVOs, veterinary attachés of EU Member States and experts from national veterinary services, as well as members of the FASFC, academics and students, representatives of livestock farmers, animal health organisations member of FESASS, and other professional organisations in the livestock sector.

Summary of presentations and discussions

Morning session:

Dr Chantal RETTIGNER, Belgian CVO and representative of the Belgian Presidency with Didier DELMOTTE, President of FESASS welcomed the participants and underlined the importance of the theme chosen for this symposium in order to reinforce prevention in the face of animal diseases and guarantee the effectiveness of the European regulatory framework of the Animal Health Law. (AHL).

Dr Chantal RETTIGNER, Belgian CVO, and Didier DELMOTTE, President of FESASS

Dr LOGAR, Deputy Head of DG Health's Animal Health Unit, EU Commission, presented an overview of the threats present in the EU and the biosecurity aspect of combating them.

She highlighted that Animal Health Law does not have a biosecurity chapter, because biosecurity is everywhere and depends on everyone. The Animal Health Law is a framework with different elements that complement each other, it encourages this preventive approach but with the will of the European legislator not to over-regulate biosecurity. Indeed, it is necessary to provide for flexibility and to leave it up to the Member States to set more precise requirements. 

Nevertheless, during the question time, Member State representatives stressed the importance of having EU biosecurity guidelines.

Dr HOFFMANN, Deputy CVO of Germany, presented the implementation in her country of the biosecurity measures required by the Animal Health Law. She detailed the system for cattle, using the example of IBR before and after the Animal Health Law. She explained that the measures had to be adapted to each region and context. She then listed the weak points identified in the light of what is being done in the front of ASF, (in particular the lack of cooperation between operators and authorities, the lack of suitable infrastructure on farms, etc.). She also indicated the areas for improvement and asked the European Commission to draw up guidelines to ensure that nothing was overlooked in the plans.

Dr BONBON, Chairman of the WHOAH Code Commission (and also a member of DG Health) presented the role and use of biosecurity as set out in the WHOAH Terrestrial Animal Code. He recalled that this is a general approach at global level, explaining the historical stages that have given increasing importance to this tool. At the request of WHOA member countries, a new chapter of the Code will be devoted to biosecurity. It is currently being drafted and will set out guidelines including a description of the roles and responsibilities of all those involved (from veterinary authorities to animal keepers and traders).

He outlined several key principles: biosecurity measures must always respond to an objective (the level of biosecurity actually expected) and to a risk analysis, and they must be acceptable and feasible for the target populations. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions. 

Farmers testimonials: Jonathan LENOURICHEL, Chairman of GDS Calvados (Biosecurity in a dairy herd in front of tuberculosis), Yves-Marie DESBRUYERES, Blanc Bleu farmer in Wallonia (Biosecurity in an extensive cattle  farm) and João MADEIRA, President of ADS Mértola in Alentejo (Biosecurity in a mixed cattle/sheep herd on several sites in a dry region).

They highlighted that biosecurity can be based on simple, common-sense practices, but it is difficult to manage when wildlife is involved, biosecurity can be seen by farmers as a constraint or perceived as an unprofitable investment. There is therefore a need for greater awareness-raising, communication and training (in particular via animal health organisations to provide appropriate practical advice), as well as public and professional funding (in Normandy, there is a financial involvement of the dairy interprofessional organisation because the downstream sector is also concerned).

First Round table: Biosecurity on the farm, interests and challenges.The 3 first speakers, Dr Jane CLARK, Vice President of FVE and Joao Madeira from Portugal were the panellists.  The moderator was Dr Evelyne DE GRAEF from DGZ. The panelists confirmed that the work must be carried out in partnership between the various stakeholders (professional organisations, veterinary practitioners, competent authorities). They reaffirmed the need for financial support. The international dimension must also be taken into account. 

Afternoon session:

1st panel of speakers devoted to scientific research on biosecurity in livestock farming: several projects with the common objective of improving biosecurity (tools for adapting measures to the context, improving training to ensure that recommendations are implemented). It was moderated by Dr Jean-Charles CAVITTE, Research Policy Officer, DG AGRI, EU Commission.

Pr. J. DEWUF, Pr. C. SAEGERMAN, Dr. J.C. CAVITTE and Pr. A. ALLAPUZ PALAU

Pof. Jeroen DEWULF, Veterinary Faculty of Ghent, presented the EU-funded BIOSECURE project (https://biosecure.eu). The aim of this project is to provide support for decision-makers in setting up evidence-based, cost-effective and sustainable biosecurity management systems. It should be noted that this project integrates the behavioural aspect into the definition of biosecurity, as it depends on the conduct of those involved. 

Pr SAEGERMAN, Faculté vétérinaire de Liège, presented "new biosecurity tools" as part of the BETTER project. It takes up the concept of the 5Bs of biosecurity (bio-exclusion, bio-confinement, bio-compartimentation, bio-prevention and bio-preservation) and used an SAF model to find an appropriate strategy: Suitability, Acceptability, Feasibility. To illustrate the functionement of this tool, he shows the online operation of the smartphone application designed for livestock farmers with a real-time biosecurity audit that takes into account the context of each farm, by species, by disease, etc., e.g. Biocheck in cattle (https://biocheckgent.com/fr/surveys).

Prof. Alberto ALLAPUZ PALAU of the Animal Health Department of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Chairman of the BETTER COST action (Biosecurity enhanced through training evaluation and raising awareness). This project consists of networking and enabling exchanges between a large number of players/experts from all over the world, and collecting data in order to identify the best drivers for achieving the behavioural changes needed to develop biosecurity in livestock farming.  (https://better-biosecurity.eu/).

2nd panel of speakers who presented the livestock biosecurity programmes of 4 FESASS member organisations. These examples of programmes show the importance of communication, information sharing and training.

Dr Carole SALA, Veterinary Advisor at GDS France, presented the implementation of the programme for ruminant farms. Above all, she stressed the need for good communication and training in biosecurity principles for farmers and farm workers. This takes time, as there are few people trained, so adaptations need to be planned for the long term. The stakes are profitability, agro-ecological transition (hedges/wood barriers) and societal expectations. She points out that, given the challenges, everyone is concerned, everyone is involved, everyone is a beneficiary, and why not, everyone should be a funder of biosecurity!

Dr Evelyne DE GRAEF, Head of the Research and Innovation Department at the DGZ (Flanders, Belgium) presented the Belgian action plan to prevent antimicrobial resistance, which is based in particular on the development of biosecurity in livestock farming. She gave examples of concrete actions: "DGZ Biosecurity Awards" in 2017 and 2019 to highlight farmers' concrete initiatives. In 2018, development of FarmFit, a simple tool for vets (with a Biocheck questionnaire), a platform that can be used on smartphones, tablets..., available in 4 languages (helps identify and prioritise actions). Participation in the Roadmap project on antibiotic resistance. Numerous future projects, including training in good practice for vets and farmers.  She points out that biosecurity is also a question of mindset and mentality, and not just physical measures.

Dr David GRAHAM, Chief Executive Officer of AHI (Animal Health Ireland) presented the application of biosecurity in the Irish pig sector. The Pig HealthCheck programme is co-financed by producers and the ministry. It includes an annual assessment of the farm by a vet (using Biocheck) and recommendations to the farmer, paid for by the Targeted Animal Health Advisory Service (TASAH, which pays volunteer vets from Irish and European public funds). The results are stored in a database that all stakeholders can access and compare.

Ralf OLTMANN, a turkey and pig farmer in Lower Saxony and representative of the ZDG (Central Federation of German Poultry Farmers) presented practical biosecurity measures on a turkey farm in Germany. He emphasised that to ensure that biosecurity is permanently under control, the measures to be applied must be simple and well understood by the staff, so that they can be incorporated into the daily routine. 

Round Table 2: Pr. Y. VAZ,  Dr. J.C. CAVITTE, S. JEANNE and Pr. A. ALLAPUZ PALAU