Business

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

OMB Approved, 0579-XXXX, Exp. XX/XXXX

HPAI Response

Buffer Zone Placements and Restocking of Previously Infected Premises

Biosecurity Audit Tool

Version: June 7, 2024

PURPOSE

The purpose of this audit is to verify that farm personnel implement sufficient biosecurity measures on a premises to mitigate the risk of introduction of HPAI as a condition for receiving indemnity from APHIS if it is affected by HPAI. This audit applies to commercial WOAH poultry premises in the following categories:

1. Premises located within the buffer zone of an active control area that request to move poultry onto the premises.

2. HPAI-infected premises intending to restock after response activities are completed.

FARM IDENTIFICATION AND LOCATION

NPIN:
Premises/Farm Name:
Premises Address:
City:	County:
State:	Zip:
GPS Coordinates:	Special ID:

PRIMARY CONTACT

Name:
Title:
Umbrella Company (if applicable):
Phone:	Alternative Phone:
Email:

AUDIT INFORMATION

Case Manager:
Phone:
Email:

Auditor:
Phone:
Email:

Audit Type:
Audit Method:
Initial Audit Date:

AUDIT INSTRUCTIONS

Auditor

The Auditor places a mark in the “Yes” column if the item meets the minimum requirement. The Auditor places a mark in the “No” if the item does not meet the minimum requirement. After evaluation of each item in a section, the Auditor marks “Pass” if all the items in the section meet the minimum requirement. If any changes are needed to the current biosecurity practice(s) being employed at the premises to sufficiently mitigate the introduction of HPAI for any item in a section, the Auditor marks “Remediation Required.” The two possible outcomes of this audit are “Pass” or “Remediation Needed.” All sections must be marked as “Pass” for the audit to receive a “Pass” outcome. If the premises does not pass the audit, the audit can be repeated after the Primary Contact reports to USDA/State officials that the biosecurity deficiencies that were identified have been remediated. For audits that identify items requiring remediation, follow-up will be recorded using the previously completed audit tool. This will help ensure tracking of any deficiencies and the remediation. Any comments made in the “Items for Remediation” or the “Additional Auditor Comments” sections should not be erased to provide remediation and comment history. The Auditor will check the “Remediation Completed” box to indicate that the identified deficiencies were remediated. The final audit will be the one that is marked as “Pass” in the “Audit Results” section.

DEFINITIONS

Authorized visitors: Any persons who is authorized by the producer to conduct work on the farm not related to live poultry production or egg processing, including electricians, plumbers, repairmen, etc.

Company: The business entity that has ownership of the flock on the premises. This includes privately owned farms and farms/producers under contract with a corporate entity and can include multi-company facilities.

Egg processing area: A location where eggs are washed and sanitized or where nest run eggs are packed and/or stored for delivery to another site.

Farm service personnel: Personnel employed or contracted by the producer who perform duties to support live poultry production, but do not regularly work within the farm perimeter buffer area (PBA). This may include feed trucks, rendering trucks, egg truck, live haul, and pest control personnel.

Farm workers: Any person (including, but not limited to those employed or contracted by the producer) that regularly (on a daily or weekly basis) crosses the PBA with duties related to live poultry production and egg processing.

Line of Separation (LOS): A functional line separating the poultry enclosures and the poultry inside, and egg processing areas from exposure to potential disease sources. Generally, it is defined by the walls of the poultry building, enclosures or egg processing areas with practical deviations to account for entry points, structural aspects, or outside access areas.

Perimeter Buffer Area (PBA): A functional zone surrounding the poultry enclosures or poultry raising area that separates them from areas unrelated to poultry production on that site and/or adjoining properties. It is comprised of the poultry enclosures and poultry raising areas as well as nearby structures and high traffic areas involved in the daily function of the poultry farm. This would usually include but not be limited to such things as feed bins, manure sheds, composting areas, egg rooms and processing areas, generators, pump rooms, etc.

Producer: Any responsible party in representation of the affected flock, which can include the company, grower, flock owner, live production manager, contracted private veterinarian, etc.

***Criteria highlighted in YELLOW indicate they are NPIP Program Standards Biosecurity Principles.

AUDIT CRITERIA

Section 1: Complex/Company Biosecurity Documentation

The following paperwork can be provided and reviewed in advance of the audit by the auditor and may only need to be reviewed once if multiple premises within the same complex become infected. The auditor will review the written complex/company biosecurity plan to ensure it includes the criteria in 2 - 31:

Part 1: General Criteria

Yes

No

Documentation that a written biosecurity plan that meets the 14 NPIP Biosecurity Principles has been approved and audited by the State’s Official State Agent (OSA) in the preceding 2 years. Auditor may request to receive a copy of the biosecurity plan to review. Most recent NPIP 14 Biosecurity Principles audit date: Policy that live birds and hatching eggs are sourced from National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) or equivalent participating flocks.
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

Part 2: LOS/PBA Procedures

Biosecurity signs warning unauthorized visitors not to enter the farm or any of its buildings (e.g., No Admittance—Biosecurity Zone) are required to be posted at all entrances to the PBA and LOS. Access points/entryways to the LOS (poultry barns/housing, complexes and egg processing areas) are restricted or monitored during nonbusiness hours (i.e. includes hours outside normal production and flock monitoring at the facility). LOS is physically marked and described in written biosecurity plan Note: Includes any physical barriers, markers or signage to indicate LOS entryways (barn door, tape/ lines, benches, PPE storage containers, footpans, biosecurity signage, etc.) Written complex policy requires that farm workers do not own non-company birds – including any gallinaceous bird species, waterfowl, or gamebird species or exotic birds with outdoor access. The policy must include that when birds are present on the farm, all persons crossing the Line of Separation (LOS) who have had contact with non-company birds, must adhere to a minimum 48-hour downtime prior to entry to the Line of Separation (LOS). Written complex policy must have biosecurity requirements for farm workers and farm service personnel who have visited another live production poultry premises, slaughter facility, or egg processing facility, which at a minimum must include cleaning and/or disinfection of vehicle tires, logging of visit, and footwear biosecurity mitigations before crossing the farm PBA and donning of personal protective equipment (PPE) before crossing any LOS on-site The following farm service personnel are not permitted to cross or enter the LOS of live poultry production areas where they are not actively working or egg processing areas: Non-company employed live haul catch crews and contracted or company employed drivers that make multiple stops at more than one individual farm in any given day. Note: Drivers for breeder egg collection are exempt from this requirement with biosecurity mitigations in place. Authorized visitors do not enter or cross the LOS unless necessary. If entry is necessary, there is documentation in the visitor log to indicate why visitors are crossing the LOS. All persons are required to donn minimum PPE listed below prior to crossing or entering the LOS: Coveralls and/or premises-specific clothing Footwear and/or footwear disinfection stations (including disinfected boots, boot covers, foot pans, etc.) Hand sanitizer, hand washing stations and/or clean gloves All persons are required to wash and/or sanitize their hands and/or donn gloves prior to crossing or entering the LOS. All persons are required to use footwear disinfection stations prior to crossing or entering the LOS (if not donning barn specific footwear). Footpans are regularly cleaned to ensure they are free of organic material Farm policy that pet dogs and cats are not permitted to cross or enter the LOS. Note: Working dogs are exempt from this requirement for the LOS of outdoor enclosures
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

Part 3: Mortality Monitoring

Yes

No

Flock health parameters are monitored on a daily basis and may include: Feed and water consumption records N/A Egg production N/A At a minimum, there must be records and/ or monitoring of daily mortality There is a plan to report and take appropriate action when there is elevated morbidity and/or mortality above company expected levels, or unexplained abnormal production parameters. This plan should include language for submission of samples to an authorized laboratory should you suspect and need to rule out reportable disease agents.
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

Part 4: Wild Bird/Wildlife Prevention/Mitigation

Yes

No

Procedures are in place to: Routinely inspect for, mitigate, and remove wild bird nesting/harborage on physical buildings (eaves, airflow intakes or around poultry housing on ground, in the grass, etc.) Prevent the access of wild birds into the LOS through the use of wild bird exclusion methods such as mesh netting, physical barriers, etc. to prevent exposure of poultry to wild birds. Note: USDA organic and operations with free-ranging birds with unenclosed outdoor access or outdoor netted pens are exempt from requirement to prevent wild bird access to outdoor bird raising areas, but must still have mitigations in place to reduce, prevent or remedy wildbird contact with poultry Farm is an Organic/ Free-ranging operation: N/A Remove wild birds from enclosed poultry housing and egg processing areas should they gain entrance. Inspect and/or monitor the enclosed structures housing live poultry to ensure sound construction and that they are kept in good repair. Walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows, and other outside openings are constructed and maintained to prevent or restrict the entrance of wild birds/wildlife, such as rats, mice, wild birds, etc. and are inspected periodically so that potential access points can be repaired. Unused vacant production facilities on the premises are maintained in a manner to prevent or mitigate access to wildlife/wild birds. There is a control program in place to monitor, prevent and/or control the presence of rodents, insects, and terrestrial wildlife on the farm and inside the barns/ bird raising areas.
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

Part 5: Feed and Bedding/Litter

Yes

No

Feed and feed ingredients that are stored within the PBA that will be used to feed poultry are maintained in a manner that limits exposure to and contamination by wild birds, rodents, insects and other animals (including domestic and terrestrial wildlife) Feed spills within the PBA (outside of the LOS) are cleaned up promptly to prevent attracting wild birds, rodents, insects and other animals Clean bedding (i.e. litter) is stored and maintained in a manner that limits exposure to and contamination by wild birds, rodents, insects and other animals (including domestic and terrestrial wildlife): Drinking water or water used for evaporative cooling is sourced from a contained supply such as a well or municipal system: Drinking water is distributed in a manner that limits exposure to and contamination by wild birds, rodents, insects and other animals (including domestic and terrestrial wildlife) The premises has a process in place to identify and mitigate and/ or minimize large accumulations of standing water on the premises that act as a wild bird attractant (that are not intentionally created lagoons, reservoirs, or holding ponds or naturally occurring bodies of water).
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

Part 6: Vehicles, Tools, and Equipment

Yes

No

All equipment, tools and vehicles that will be in direct contact with poultry or used in poultry housing are clean prior to entrance to any LOS. Note: Equipment, tools, and vehicles used during loadout for slaughter are exempt from this requirement. All equipment, tools and vehicles used to move poultry or that were in direct contact with poultry are cleaned and/ or disinfected prior to entering another farm PBA when birds are no longer present on the vehicle. Note: Equipment, tools and vehicles includes those used for, but not limited to, bird-moving, poultry transport, equipment from other farms, etc. Examples of tools/equipment are carts, loaders, ramps, etc. Documentation is provided that replacement poultry (day-old birds) are transported in equipment and vehicles that are regularly cleaned, disinfected and inspected. Note: Vehicles making subsequent trips between the same origin and destination premises do not have to be cleaned between each trip, except for live haul vehicles moving from the processing plant to a live production facility where birds will remain after movements have completed. Manure trucks should not go from one poultry farm to another on the same day (if poultry are present). If necessary to go from one poultry farm to another on the same day (if poultry are present), the manure trucks must be cleaned and disinfected prior to arrival at the next farm. If applicable, only clean, sanitized, and disinfected plastic egg flats or new disposable egg flats are allowed on the premises. N/A
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

Part 7: Mortality Disposal

Yes

No

The mortality disposal plan references the frequency of removal, storage of mortality, and pest control around mortality storage and disposal areas. Mortality is picked up in poultry enclosures daily. There are written procedures for handling mortality disposal in a way that minimizes the potential for cross contamination from other facilities or between premises. If mortality is to be disposed of off-site, are there procedures in place that address the use of covered transportation, how routes to offsite locations are determined, and how transport vehicles may be cleaned and disinfected. Procedures are in place for farm workers and farm service personnel (i.e. rendering truck personnel) that minimize the potential for cross contamination between disposal sites and other production areas.
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

Section 2: Farm-Specific Biosecurity Documentation

The following paperwork must be premises/site-specific and provided to the auditor:

Part 1: General Documentation

Yes

No

Documentation that live birds and hatching eggs are sourced from National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) or equivalent participating flocks Ex. Receipts, VS 9-3 or equivalent form, etc. Documentation of flock health monitoring on a daily basis: Feed and water consumption records N/A Egg production N/A Daily mortality Did the premises keep mortality records from the current or previous flock? If No mortality records are kept, how is elevated morbidity and/or mortality above expected levels monitored? Note: Records from previous flock can be provided if current house/ complex is empty
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

Part 2: PBA: Farm-Specific Documentation

Yes

No

Documentation to verify that all farm workers and farm service personnel that regularly enter the (PBA) receive biosecurity training that covers the 14 Biosecurity Principles at hire and annually, thereafter. Exempted parties include infrequent authorized visitors/ contractors (electricians, plumbers, repairmen, etc.) and are still required to adhere to all farm biosecurity procedures, including procedures applicable when crossing the PBA. Farm service personnel including feed truck, rendering truck, and pest control personnel are not exempt from this requirement if they cross the PBA. Authorized Visitors Logbook records must include the following information and be presented or available upon request for all farm visitors and farm service personnel in the preceding 14 days prior to planned bird movement or prior to HPAI detection (can be physical and/or electronic records): visitor’s name company or affiliation reason for visit date if the visitor entered the LOS reason for entering LOS (Including acknowledgement whether they have had contact with birds from other premises and that they have had no contact with normal mortality disposal activities with direct carcass contact at another facility during the preceding 48 hours.) Authorized visitors do not enter or cross the LOS unless necessary. If entry is necessary, there is documentation in the visitor log to indicate why visitors are crossing the LOS. Note: Electronic tracking records for routine visitors/contractors may be substituted for an entry in the visitor’s log. These records must be available to State or Federal officials if requested.
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

Part 3: LOS: Farm-Specific Documentation

Yes

No

Documentation of a pest control program is in place. Records are provided to verify that there is a control program in place to monitor, prevent and/or control the presence of rodents, insects, and terrestrial wildlife on the farm and inside the barns/ bird raising areas. Ex. Receipts of rat bait, contracted pest control company, etc.
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

Section 3: Visual Verification of Farm-Specific Biosecurity

The following biosecurity criteria must be verified visually by the auditor while performing the virtual or on-site biosecurity audit.

Part 1: PBA: Farm-Specific Visual Verification

Yes

No

There are biosecurity signs warning unauthorized visitors not to enter the farm or any of its buildings (e.g., No Admittance—Biosecurity Zone). Signs are posted at all entrances to the PBA Entrances/access points to the PBA are limited to the minimum required for normal farm operations and safe egress Are there any physical barriers at the entrance to the PBA? (e.g. chain, fencing, gate, barrels etc.) N/A NOTE: Physical barriers to the PBA are NOT required, but are recommended to ensure compliance with PBA biosecurity practices Visitor Log is present at PBA entrance or visual verification of electronic records. Biosecurity measures described in biosecurity plan are present at PBA entrance Ex. Hand sprayer, truck washing station, PPE for visitors, etc.
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

Part 2: LOS: Farm-Specific Visual Verification

Premises specific clean (free of organic debris from outside poultry enclosures) reusable or disposable PPE is available at all LOS entryways. At a minimum, the following must be present at the LOS: Coveralls and/or premises-specific clothing Footwear and/or footwear disinfection stations (including disinfected boots, boot covers, foot pans, etc.) Hand sanitizer, hand washing stations and/or clean gloves Footwear disinfection stations appear free of organic material LOS is physically marked: Note: Includes any physical barriers, markers or signage to indicate LOS entryways (barn door, tape/ lines, benches, PPE storage containers, footpans, biosecurity signage, etc.) Verbal and/or visual demonstration of LOS procedures by farm workers or producer is consistent with written biosecurity plan. There are biosecurity signs warning unauthorized visitors not to enter the farm or any of its buildings (e.g., No Admittance—Biosecurity Zone). Signs are posted at all entrances to the LOS . Entrance points to the LOS are limited to the minimum required for normal farm operations and safe egress Access points/entryways to the LOS (poultry barns/housing, complexes and egg processing areas) are restricted or monitored during nonbusiness hours (i.e. includes hours outside normal production and flock monitoring at the facility). Description of how access points to the LOS are restricted: (Ex. remote location, camera monitoring, locked doors, security, staff live on-site, presence of staff during nonbusiness hours, etc.) Visual verification of pest control program on farm (bait stations, fly tape, etc. present) Description of pest control: Is there an excessive pest presence on the farm that appears to hinder production practices? If yes, is there a plan to mediate the pest issues in place? N/A
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

Part 3: Wildlife Exclusion & Pest Control: Farm-Specific Visual Verification

Yes

No

Wild bird/ Wildlife Prevention/ Mitigation: Inspect for the presence of the following: Wild bird nesting/harborage on physical buildings (eaves, airflow intakes or around poultry housing on ground, in the grass, etc.) is NOT present No wild birds seen in enclosed poultry housing and egg processing areas, or if present mitigation plan is in place to remove them. Enclosed structures housing live poultry have sound construction and are kept in good repair. Walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows, and other outside openings are constructed and maintained to prevent or restrict the entrance of wild birds/wildlife, such as rats, mice, wild birds, etc. Large holes are NOT present or are in the process of being remediated. Unused vacant production facilities on the premises are maintained in a manner to prevent access to wildlife/wild birds. Description of wild bird/ wildlife mitigation practices: Large accumulations of standing water on the premises that act as a wild bird attractant (that are not intentionally created lagoons, reservoirs, or holding ponds or naturally occurring bodies of water) are NOT present. NOTE: Some premises may not be able to meet this requirement due to geography, weather and temperature, or may need extended timelines for resolution Description of standing water and plan to mitigate or reduce it, or wildbird mitigation plan if standing water present at time of audit:
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

Part 4: Feed and Bedding/Litter: Farm-Specific Visual Verification

Yes

No

Feed and feed ingredients are stored and maintained in a manner that limits exposure to and contamination by wild birds, rodents, insects and other animals (including domestic and terrestrial wildlife): Feed spills within the PBA (outside of the LOS) are NOT present: Clean bedding (i.e. litter) is stored and maintained in a manner that limits exposure to and contamination by wild birds, rodents, insects and other animals (including domestic and terrestrial wildlife): Drinking water is distributed in a manner that limits exposure to and contamination by wild birds, rodents, insects and other animals (including domestic and terrestrial wildlife):
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

Part 5: Mortality Disposal: Farm-Specific Visual Verification

Yes

No

There are written procedures for handling mortality disposal in a way that minimizes the potential for cross contamination from other facilities or between premises. Visually verify procedures being followed according to company policy. Procedures are in place for farm workers and farm service personnel (i.e. rendering truck personnel) that minimize the potential for cross contamination between disposal sites and other production areas. Visually verify procedures being followed according to company policy.
Please list the items that require remediation:

	Additional Auditor Comments:
Pass Remediation Required		Remediation completed

AUDIT RESULTS

Audit Results:

Audit Pass Date:

SIGNATURES

Producer

Signature:_______________________________________________________________

Name:__________________________________________________________________

Title:___________________________________________________________________

Date:

Auditor

Signature:

Date:

Audit Reviewer

Signature:

Date:

Paperwork Reduction Act Disclosure

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0579-XXXX. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 4 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden statement or any other aspect of this information collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to [email protected].

Version: June 7, 2024 Page 1 of 13