The review will follow a standard approach (Biocheck; Ghent University) to assess both bioexclusion (external biosecurity; measures to prevent disease entering a unit) and biocontainment (internal biosecurity; measures to prevent disease spreading within a unit).
As part of the review, up to three achievable measures to improve biosecurity will be agreed for implementation, with a farm-level report provided.
Over time, the information will also be used to allow flocks to bench mark their bioexclusion and biocontainment scores and sub-scores against other flocks on an anonymised basis. Periodic repeating of the review will also allow progress over time to be measured.
To request a Biosecurity Review, please contact a trained veterinary practitioner or Animal Health Ireland.
Please note the following veterinary practitioners have been trained for broilers, layers, breeders and turkeys:
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As part of the Rural Development Plan 2014-2020, co-funded by the Irish government and the EU, funding has been provided for a Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH), for a biosecurity assessment of commercial poultry units (broilers, layers, turkey and breeders). These biosecurity assessments, delivered by trained veterinary practitioners, will enable farmers to engage with their veterinary practitioner to improve their biosecurity at farm level.
To participate in the programme, PVPs must first complete specialist training, which is being offered by AHI. The training will have a particular focus on biosecurity for poultry using the tool (BiocheckUGent) developed by Ghent University. The review will follow a standard approach to assess both external biosecurity (measures to prevent disease entering a unit) and internal biosecurity (measures to prevent disease spreading within a unit), separately for broiler, layer, turkey and breeder units. On completion, a trained PVP will be in a position to provide a free biosecurity assessment to their eligible poultry farming clients.
This specialist training is open to all veterinary practitioners working with poultry (broilers, layers, turkey and breeders) farmers.
If you want to know more about good biosecurity practices consult the Biosecurity code of practice for poultry at https://assets.gov.ie/306620/56aca533-7a4f-4f35-ba21-b49907753fc3.pdf
Details of the next series of TASAH training events related with poultry will be available soon.
Training Expression of Interest Form
Please note the following veterinary practitioners have been trained for broilers, layers, breeders, turkeys and ducks:
| Name | Veterinary Practice |
| Aonghus Lane | St Davids Poultry Supplies (Dungannon) |
| Ciaran Cunningham | Agrihealth Veterinary Services |
| Colman Kelliher | St Davids Poultry Supplies (Limerick) |
| Dana Simpson | St Davids Poultry Supplies (Dungannon) |
| Eoghan Kelly | Agrihealth Veterinary Services |
| Greg Fitzmaurice | Riverview Veterinary Hospital (Bandon) |
| Kathryn Marshall | Breifne Animal Care |
| PJ O’Reily | Agrihealth Veterinary Services |
Please note the following veterinary practitioners have been trained for broilers, layers, breeders and turkeys:
| Name | Veterinary Practice |
| Frank Clerkin | Poultry Veterinary Services |
| James Clerkin Jr | Virginia Veterinary Hospital |
| Rebecca McAllister | St David’s Poultry Supplies (Dungannon) |
| Ryan Houston | St David’s Poultry Supplies (Dungannon) |
Please note the following veterinary practitioners have been trained for broilers and layers only:
| Name | Veterinary Practice |
| Callum Turner | St Davids Poultry Supplies (Limerick) |
| Daniel Tobin | Tobin Veterinary Services |
| Matthew Fitzgerald | Matthew Fitzgerald Veterinary Practice |
| Michael McCreesh | St Davids Poultry Supplies (Monaghan) |
| Pat Kirwan | Highfield Veterinary Group |
| Raymond O’Hare | All Creatures Veterinary Group (Cootehill) |
A map containing all participating veterinary practitioners is available below.
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Contact details for all of the above participating veterinary practitioners are available on the map below.
