Understanding and implementing effective biosecurity measures is crucial for poultry farmers, particularly in the face of rising infectious diseases. However, a recent scoping review has uncovered a significant gap in the detailed guidance provided to them.
While numerous webpages offer advice on poultry farm biosecurity, highlighting hygiene measures and administrative actions, the scoping review reveals a lack of practical implementation guidance.
Conducted by researchers from the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Cambridge for the UK government, the study evaluates online resources that deliver biosecurity advice to poultry producers.
The study reviewed biosecurity guidelines across ten different websites, including statutory, trade, assurance, and veterinary sources, to analyze their content depth and critical topics addressed.
Key Findings from the Review
The analysis included 174 webpages, leading to the following insights, which were detailed in a paper published in the Veterinary Record:
- Government websites (excluding Northern Ireland) were found to contain the most comprehensive information on poultry biosecurity.
- Farm assurance and trade union sites offered comparatively less guidance.
- A consensus emerged on the topics covered, though the depth varied significantly.
- Hygiene practices, including vehicle cleanliness and foot dips, were the most frequently addressed.
- Most webpages lacked extensive details, often reiterating primary messages without comprehensive implementation advice.
- Sites with more detailed information were linked frequently and ranked higher in search results.
Concerns Over Outdated Information
Interestingly, the review also highlighted instances of outdated content. Some websites featured pages that had not seen updates in over a decade, while others simply layered new information on top of old.
No single website was identified as offering thorough, up-to-date instructions for implementing biosecurity measures across all relevant topics. While some sites excelled in specific areas, such as government licensing, they often fell short in other critical areas like vermin control.
This inconsistency necessitates that farmers consult multiple websites to gather comprehensive information on biosecurity practices.
The full findings of the study can be accessed in the article titled ‘Scoping review to assess online guidance about poultry farm biosecurity for farmers in the UK’.
