4.1 Cleansing of livestock vehicles

Found in:

Pig Welfare, Slaughter and Biosecurity / Abattoir biosecurity

4.1.1 All assured and non-assured pig livestock vehicles entering the abattoir site shall be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected prior to leaving the site.

4.1.2 The site shall have a documented biosecurity risk assessment and associated standard operating procedures that cover the following:

Adequacy of the cleansing and disinfection facilities for the number and types of vehicles to be cleansed and disinfected (see clauses 4.1.4 to 4.1.7)
The number, type and size of bays required (see clauses 4.2.1 and 4.2.2)
Flooring (see clause 4.2.3)
Lighting requirements (see clause 4.2.4)
Risks of cross contamination (see clauses 4.3.1 and 4.3.2)
Drainage (see clauses 4.3.3 to 4.3.5)
Removal and storage of manure (see clause 4.3.6)
Access to the facilities (see clauses 4.4.1 and 4.4.2)
Cleaning equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements (see clauses 4.4.3 to 4.4.5 and 4.6.1)
Cleaning chemical requirements (see clauses 4.4.6 to 4.4.10)
The methodology for cleansing and disinfecting (see clauses 4.5 and 4.6.2 to 4.6.4)
The length of time required to effectively cleanse and disinfect each vehicle
Cleansing inspection requirements (see clauses 4.6.5 to 4.6.10)

4.1.3 The risk assessment shall be reviewed and updated annually or after major changes to the site and aligned to the company’s internal audit programme to assess compliance against the BMPA Pig Welfare, Slaughter and Biosecurity module.

4.1.4 A dedicated, well designed and maintained area shall be provided within the site for the cleansing and disinfection of livestock vehicles. Disinfection may be carried out after cleansing, in a separate area from the washing bay if the area remains within the site boundary and movement of the vehicle to the disinfecting area does not pose any cross-contamination risks.

4.1.5 A site plan detailing the location of wash facilities and the movement of clean and dirty livestock vehicles shall be available.

4.1.6 The livestock vehicle cleansing, and disinfection facility shall be available to drivers when their vehicles are on site.

4.1.7 Where there is insufficient space on the site to provide, adequate vehicle wash facilities the charter participant shall seek derogation from the BMPA PTAC. Each derogation request will be assessed on a case-by-case basis but will be viewed as a last resort. Off-site facilities, if approved by PTAC shall be local to the abattoir and under the management of the charter participant. All other requirements of Section 4 shall be met in full.

Guidance

For further guidance see Appendix 1 of this module.

Access to the facilities shall be available when pigs are being delivered to the site. Livestock vehicles shall have unrestricted access to the facilities following unloading of pigs and the charter participant shall ensure that there is no excessive back log of vehicles waiting to be cleansed (access within 1 hour of unloading should be used as a guide).

The design of the facilities shall be such that it eliminates any potential damage to services/equipment e.g. water taps/pipe work during the movement of transport within the general area.

Evidence

Review evidence of livestock vehicle deliveries against vehicle lorry washing inspection reports. Review risk assessment and standard operating procedures (SOP`s) for compliance to the charter.

Visual inspection of facilities. Verification that the area is dedicated for the cleansing and disinfection of livestock vehicles and is available always. Site plan detailing location of wash facilities and the movement for clean and dirty livestock vehicles. Where vehicles are cleansed off site evidence of derogation from the PTAC shall be checked.