By Graham Cruickshank

FOLLOWING the launch of Biosystem 3000 Protocols, earlier this year, AFS Animal Care has been extremely active promoting this comprehensive hygiene system to key poultry operations throughout the country. To further enhance disinfectant and hygiene product credibility they have been working closely with Highland Manufacturing on the production and quality control of the AFS Animal Care range of products.

"Our link with Highland brings chemical and formulation expertise to AFS along with full product traceability," explained managing director Martyn Bromley who has close links with the company, being a non?executive director of Highland Phoenix, the holding company of Highland Manufacturing.

"Highland provides the product development and manufacturing expertise particularly with regard to the formulation and blending of chemicals to produce effective and efficient disinfectants and cleaning agents. It offers computer based Six products in the Bio-Shield range of liquid feed supplements. formulation programmes, which provide for full stock control and complete traceability of all chemical components and finished products. In addition their manufacturing protocols are designed to meet the most stringent of audit requirements of producers, retailers or regulatory authorities," explained Martyn Bromley.

"AFS Animal Care is definitely open to audit by any of our customers, " he declared.

Each Biosystem 3000 protocol provides a methodical approach to farm hygiene covering step by step documented operating procedures including dos and don'ts for the farm operative. Each task is detailed and recommendations are made on the type of products to be used for a specific job are provided. The protocols contain a menu of hygiene and disinfectant products, described in generic terms and not by specific brand e.g. ,use a high viscosity quaternary ammonium detergent sanitiser'. This has led to a higher level of acceptance and more credibility among poultry and egg producers, retailers and industry experts alike.

"Generically written protocols have given Biosystem 3000 a high ground ethical position, which potentially may become the industry standard," claims Martyn Bromley. Mike Bowden demonstrates the Gastec 6 for monitoring gas levels in livestock houses.

The fact that several hygiene products companies have been involved in developing the generic lists of products and have signed up to Bioystem 3000 protocol has given the whole process solid endorsement. As both a distributor and a manufacturer of disinfectants, AFS can supply its own brands or indeed those of partner companies to meet the generic product requirement of the protocols.

Each protocol provides programmes for terminal clean down and ongoing routine hygiene. There are presently seven Biosystem 3000 protocols as follows:

• Broilers
• Breeding stock
• Hatcheries
• Free range layers
• Ducks
• Turkeys
• Caged layers

Further Biosytem 3000 Protocols will also be in place to cover other classes of livestock including pigs, dairy, fish and livestock transport. Key elements within the system are the hygiene maintenance checklist, terminal disinfection log and the weekly hygiene maintenance log. The two logs provide a detailed record of who did what, when and which products were used. Simple checklists with tick boxes provide the farm operative, farm manager and customers with confirmation of completed task.

The company stresses that each protocol will be continually upgraded to meet industry developments and any new technologies. Indeed each protocol provides the core elements for all hygiene activities and it can be adapted to suit individual need whether a single independent grower or a large integrator. "It is a living regime which allows for full traceability of clean out procedures and weekly hygiene maintenance," explained Martyn. Besides receiving a good reception from poultry and egg producers, Biosystem 3000 has gained a good reception with the three major retailers visited by AFS to date. The supermarkets appeared to appreciate a standardised approach to hygiene control and would offer the system to those suppliers who did not have a satisfactory hygiene protocol in place. There is also a growing interest in Biosytem 3000 protocols from the vets with a holistic approach

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 Superperacetic 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 Superperacetic 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