Guidance for Poultry Farmers |
| This booklet summarises the Farmer Responsibilities
section of the RUMA guidelines to provide quick and
easy-to-read guiding principles for poultry producers. |
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| Introduction | |
| Antimicrobials have made a major contribution to farm
animal health and welfare for several decades. They are
vital medicines for the treatment and control of animal
diseases and the use of certain categories as digestive
enhancers has also made them a useful tool for farmers. Concerns have been expressed about the crossover of resistant bacteria from livestock to the human population and the associated possibility of medical antimicrobial treatments becoming less effective. The Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA), a coalition of organisations including agricultural, veterinary, pharmaceutical and retail interests, has been set up to address these concerns. It aims to review the use of antimicrobials and to establish practical strategies to enable farmers to reduce their use. To this end, RUMA has formulated comprehensive guidelines for the responsible use of antimicrobials in poultry production. These give advice on all aspects from application and responsibilities of the farmer and the veterinarian, to strategies for reduced usage. This booklet summarises the Farmer Responsibilities section of the guidelines. The guidelines assume that the antimicrobial substances available are officially authorised for the purposes for which they are lawfully obtained. Produced by the Poultry Working Group of the RUMA Alliance May 1999 The use of animal medicines carries with it responsibilities. Under UK legislation, all antimicrobials are licensed for specific species and uses. Therapeutic antimicrobial use is under the direct responsibility of veterinarians. Farmers have a very considerable role to play in ensuring that the directions of the veterinarian are properly carried out and also in developing and applying disease control measures which minimise the need for antimicrobial use. |
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| Under the RUMA guidelines, poultry farmers must: | |
| Regard therapeutic antibiotics as complementing good
management practice, vaccination programmes, and site
hygiene. Initiate medication only with formal veterinary approval, a verbal direction or an approved treatment programme or protocol. Obtain a Medicated Feedingstuff Prescription (MFSP) for in-feed medication. Ensure that accurate information is given to the veterinarian in order that the correct dosage can be calculated for the birds concerned, and ensure that clear instructions for dosage and administration are obtained and passed on where necessary to the staff responsible. Always complete the course of treatment at the correct dosage. Ensure that the dosage is consumed in an effective manner by careful administration. Accurately record the identity of the animals medicated, the batch number, amount and expiry of the medicine used, the withdrawal period required and the date and time the medication was completed. For in-feed or in-water medication ensure that the end of medication is accurately determined by cleaning the header tank or feed bin as appropriate. For any medicines used a copy of the package insert and the safety data sheet should be readily available to staff and kept on file. Report to the veterinarian or direct to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, any suspicion of an adverse reaction to the medicine in either the treated animals or farm staff having contact with the medicine. This should include any unusual failure to respond to medication. A record of the adverse reaction should also be kept on the farm, either a copy of the green form report or a note in the medicines record book. Ensure that the appropriate withdrawal period is complied with prior to the sale or collection of the treated birds or eggs for human consumption. In general the withdrawal time required is specified on the MFSP or prescription. If it is necessary for a product to be prescribed for a species for which it is not licensed or at a dosage higher than the licensed dosage, then ensure that the appropriate withdrawal period specified is adhered to to ensure that food produced from the treated animals does not contain residues harmful to consumers. Co-operate with Farm Assurance schemes which monitor antimicrobial usage, medication documentation, and withdrawal period compliance, However such schemes should not constrain the attending veterinarian from preventing suffering in the animals under his care. Track antimicrobial usage taking account of the potency of various products. The simplest approach is to record the number of kgs. of animal treated/day as a proportion of the total kgs. of animal at risk for each species and class of stock. Any usage where the mg/kg dosage does not match licensed values would need to be highlighted. Ensure that different medicines are only given at the same time when this is with the specified approval of the veterinary because adverse interactions sometimes occur. Maintain a medicines log book on farm together with copies of relevant regulations and Codes of Practice. |
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| The Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture
Alliance (RUMA) was established in November 1997 to
promote the highest standards of food safety, animal
health and animal welfare in British livestock farming. A unique initiative involving organisations representing every stage of the "farm to fork" process, RUMA aims to promote a co-ordinated and integrated approach to best practice. |
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| RUMA is made up of the following organisations: | |
| Animal Health Distribution Association British Association of Feed Supplement and Additive Manufacturers British Pig Association British Poultry Meat Federation British Retail Consortium British Veterinary Association Meat & Livestock Commission National Beef Association National Farmers' Union National Office of Animal Health National Sheep Association United Kingdom Agricultural Supply Trade Association |