Biosecurity Checklist

The FAST Eggs Plan Biosecurity Checklist for Egg Production Premises and Auditors consists of a list of over 40 important biosecurity measures that, if fully implemented, will help reduce the risk of introducing HPAI virus onto an egg production premises (see Attachment E). These biosecurity measures were based upon the input of a panel of poultry veterinarians (with expertise in egg production and avian influenza), as well as state and federal epidemiologists, egg producers, universities, and regulatory agencies.

Implementation of these biosecurity measures prior to an outbreak will significantly reduce the likelihood that the HPAI virus will be introduced onto an egg production premises.

• Voluntarily participating egg producers will provide “Yes” or “No” responses to biosecurity statements on the Checklist. “Yes” means that the biosecurity measure is part of a farm’s written biosecurity plan and the policy is enforced. “No” means that the biosecurity measure is not a company policy and the premises does not qualify for the FAST Eggs Plan until the deficiency is corrected. To participate in the FAST Eggs Plan, an egg production premises must utilize all biosecurity measures on the checklist.
• An auditor will be assigned to each participating egg premises by the State Animal Health Official (SAHO) after consultation with the Federal AVIC. An official auditor must be a state or federal animal health official (or another individual) deemed to be qualified by the SAHO and the federal AVIC.
• Auditors are tasked with confirming the validity of biosecurity statements checked “Yes” and submitting a written report of their findings to the SAHO, federal AVIC, and to the manager of the egg premises. The SAHO and the federal AVIC will use this information to determine if the level of biosecurity is sufficient to qualify the premises for participation in the FAST Eggs Plan.
• An approved audit, no more than 6 months old, must be on file with the SAHO and the federal AVIC for an egg premises to participate in the FAST Eggs Plan. The SAHO and the federal AVIC must decide if the biosecurity level of an egg production premises is sufficient to qualify the premises for participation in the FAST Eggs Plan (Pass)—or if it is not (Fail). If a premises fails a biosecurity audit, the reason(s) for failure will be provided in writing to the farm manager. Farm managers then have the option of taking corrective action and requesting another audit.
• Whenever possible, the same auditor will visit the same egg production premises on subsequent visits so that, over time, the auditor will become familiar with the egg operation and the farm manager will become familiar with the auditor.
• The initial audit will require an on-site visit to the egg production premises by the auditor. To protect the biosecurity of the egg operations, auditors will survey the outside areas on the premises and egg processing areas but will not enter the chicken houses. Subsequent audits will consist of a meeting between the auditor and the farm manager at an off-site location to review records followed by a visual inspection of the outside areas of the premises by the auditor who will remain inside a vehicle owned by the egg farm.
• Audits are premises-specific. Premises may vary in size from a single stand-alone chicken house to multiple chicken houses and out buildings at a modern in-line egg production complex. If a business produces eggs at multiple locations, each participating premises must have a separate audit.
• Global Positioning System Location. The longitude and latitude for each participating egg operation will be determined by a state or federal employee currently trained to use a Global Positioning System receiver. A Premises Identification Number (PIN) may be assigned by the state in which the egg premises is located. Premises registration forms are available on each state’s department of Agriculture web site.
• At least one animal health official from each state with participating egg producers will be expected to attend annual training sessions at a USDA approved training program for Egg Premises Auditors to a) review the clinical signs and lesions associated with avian influenza; b) discuss interpretation of data pertaining to feed consumption, water consumption, and egg production; and c) to promote uniformity of audits for the nation’s egg industry.

A high level of biosecurity is necessary before approval to move eggs and egg products can be given, but BIOSECURITY ALONE DOES NOT GUARANTEE APPROVAL. Before Incident Commanders approve such movement, results of active and passive surveillance and other pertinent factors will be considered. Risk assessments conducted by the USDA-APHIS CEAH have stated that pasteurized eggs, pasteurized egg/cooked egg products, non-pasteurized liquid egg products destined for pasteurization, and washed and sanitized shell eggs can be moved with negligible risk of infecting other poultry. Incident Commanders may issue permits for movement of these products with only cleaning and disinfection of the conveyance required.

To download the Biosecurity Checklist, click here.

You are encouraged to treat the Biosecurity Checklist as part of the entire Secure Egg Supply Plan that can be downloaded here. Secure Egg Supply Plan.PDF