By Graham Cruickshank

LAUNCHED by AFS Animal Care at last year's Pig and Poultry Fair Bio-System 3000 hygiene protocols have proved so successful that the company has further extended the service to include a specific hygiene services contract.

The contract provides a seven point plan, managed by AFS staff, which includes the following:

• Bio-System 3000 cleaning proto cols specific to each farm/company
• routine independent microbiological monitoring testing to judge the efficacy of cleaning procedures · water sampling service
• visual auditing of cleaning procedures
• training on the application of chemicals
• rodent and pest control consultation
• training seminars for transportation sanitisation

Of particular importance, according to managing director Martyn Bromley, is the visual audit report. A five point scoring system is employed covering the following areas:

• outside the building and the apron
• control rooms
• ceilings
• walls
• floors
• lighting
• heating
• ventilation
• feeders
• drinkers

Scoring determination:

• Negative - showing no signs of visual debris - excellent
• One + showing very slight debris - good
• Two ++ showing slight debris - not good
• Three +++ showing debris - poor
• Four ++++ showing excessive debris - very poor

For each category a score is given along with specific comments and an average score for the house/site is also calculated.

We believe the form will prove very useful for auditing purposes whilst at the same time identifying specific areas where there is room for improvement in the cleaning and sanitisation techniques," explained Martyn Bromley.

The company's philosophy to incorporate only the best products within the Bio-System 3000 protocols has resulted in them teaming up with DEB to supply their personal hygiene and vehicle cleaning products. In addition to teaming up with specialist suppliers the company is also continually looking to develop new products of its own. Latest of these is a fast acting powerful virucide/biocide.

Known as HPPA it is based on an advance formulation of stabilised peroxyacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide suitable for spraying, fogging and soaking. It is biodegradable and particularly suited for situations where a fast turn round is required. For routine disinfection of pre-cleaned surfaces HPPA is used at a 1 in 145 dilution and at 1 in 25 when being fogged.

Further new products have been added to the Bio-Shield liquid feed supplements. Poult Start has been specifically formulated as an aid in reducing early poult mortality and to assist in the production of even flocks. It contains a high proportion of potassium salts with added sodium bicarbonate, electrolytes and vitamin C. Layer Liquivits is a balance of essential vitamins with added amino acids augmenting these essential nutrients at times of stress.

Both products are used at a 1 in 1000 dilution rate