CODE OF PRACTICE – BIOSECURITY

Showground Operators, Agricultural Premises and Livestock Marts

In general, movement and mixing of animals presents the greatest risk of the spread of most animal diseases. For that reason, the operators of a livestock show, mart etc., have a key role to play in ensuring that the disease risks associated with their premises and operations are kept to a minimum. Specific legal requirements apply in relation to bio-security arrangements. Adherence to these bio-security arrangements and the guidelines outlined below can have a significant impact on reducing the opportunities for disease transmission.

Acceptance of Animals

  1. All keepers must be appropriately registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) if presenting animals (Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Pigs, Poultry, Horses and other Equine, Exotic/other animals including Llama, Alpaca).
  2. Under no circumstances should animals that are improperly identified or registered or documentation incomplete be accepted.

Cleaning/Disinfection

  1. All areas where animals will be located should be clean and contamination free prior to introducing animals for show purposes.
  2. All areas where show animals are congregated, held or have been in contact, should be washed down thoroughly and disinfected with an approved disinfectant at the end of each day at a minimum.
  3. Keep drinking/feeding troughs clean and free of animal waste or other contaminants.
  4. Cleaning and disinfection facilities should be available on site for all transport vehicles delivering/collecting animals. Shows, should at all times enforce the use of these cleaning and disinfection facilities. A list of approved disinfectants is available on the gov.ie website.
  5. Ensure that clients, when visiting the premises, wear waterproof footwear (e.g., wellington boots) that can be cleaned and disinfected easily.
  6. Provide footbaths with suitable approved disinfectant at appropriate locations on the premises.
  7. Provide facilities for hand washing with liquid soap and for washing down footwear.
  8. Provide signs on premises reminding people of the need to minimise the risks of disease transmission and the availability on-site of washing facilities for vehicles and persons.

Identification, Documentation and Record Keeping

  1. Retain a record of the registration number of each vehicle delivering/collecting each consignment of animals.
  2. Maintain a register, in readily accessible form, of all vendors/buyers, including numbers and types of animals involved in each transaction.
  3. Ensure compliance with all requirements in relation to record keeping and retention of records.
  4. Forward completed Certificates of Compliance in respect of Bovine and Dispatch Documents in respect of Sheep or Goat to the local RVO to ensure that the movement details are recorded on the AIM database within seven days of the show. Failure to have movements recorded within the required time scale may have implications for the herd keeper/s involved.

Suspicious/Unusual Transactions or Movements

Report any suspicious or unusual transactions or movements involving livestock to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine or An Garda Síochána (such information can be provided on a strictly confidential basis).