Biosecurity is not just a safeguard against disease challenge. It is a cornerstone of our food security, and therefore sustainable poultry meat production.
The effectiveness of our biosecurity determines our ability to maintain a stable and safe food supply chain. However, its effectiveness is only as strong as its weakest link.
Despite a clear understanding of the risks associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza, we find that weaknesses in biosecurity often stem from lapses in routine as opposed to a lack of awareness.
- Addressing such behaviour requires a shift in mindset, investment in infrastructure, and a commitment to industry-wide collaboration – between Government, commercial businesses, and small backyard keepers.
Biosecurity as identifying common oversights
Independent research in the UK shows that the most common biosecurity failings on our poultry farms are underpinned by human error and inconsistent adherence to protocols, combined with poor or old infrastructure.
The UK Poultry Health and Welfare Group, made up of representatives from UK poultry and game associations, in collaboration with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, has developed a photobook that visually contrasts good and poor biosecurity practices.
We wanted to create a resource that enables farmers and farm managers to identify areas for improvement, and the photobook is a useful tool to show how minor oversights—such as leaky roofs, improper foot dip usage, or exposed bedding—can create pathways for disease.
- Additionally, the British Poultry Council’s biosecurity poster highlights key areas for improvement.
- Designed to foster opportunities for learning and better compliance, the ‘checklist’ format provides a clear, actionable framework to assess on-site practices.
By breaking biosecurity down into simple, manageable steps, the poster reinforces key behaviours and controlled movements of people and equipment to turn best practice into routine habits.
- While the Animal and Plant Health Agency has reported an improvement in biosecurity standards this avian influenza season in comparison to previous years, we believe that continual vigilance is necessary.
- Embedding a culture of proactive biosecurity, where best practices are habitual rather than reactive, is essential for the industry’s long-term resilience.
Biosecurity as a shared responsibility
Too often, biosecurity is viewed as an administrative burden rather than an operational necessity. We believe that in order to be truly effective, it must become second nature to those working within poultry production, be that farm managers, farm workers, delivery and collection services, or tradespeople.
- Transforming perception begins with making biosecurity an integral part of daily routines.
- The photobook created by the UK Poultry Health and Welfare Group and the Animal and Plant Health Agency serves as a critical educational tool for those working in commercial poultry.
- It offers practical, real-world examples that show how small but consistent actions contribute to overall farm resilience.
There is only so much we can do as the British Poultry Council in driving behavioural change. What we can do, in collaboration with other industry bodies, is create a forum for knowledge-sharing and open discussion. Peer learning can reinforce good practices, shifting biosecurity to an instinctive responsibility and a shared duty rather than an individual obligation.
British Poultry Council member businesses understand that biosecurity is not about ticking boxes but about protecting their flocks and businesses. In this way it is easier to embed biosecurity into the culture of their operations, ensuring it becomes second nature and ingrained into every aspect of poultry meat production.
Biosecurity as an investment in resilience
Disease prevention is not only a matter of welfare but one of economic success. A single outbreak of avian influenza can have a devastating impact on the farm owner, their staff, and families, as well as financial consequences. This makes proactive biosecurity measures a strategic necessity.
In British poultry meat production, we perceive biosecurity as less of an isolated cost and more a fundamental investment in the stability and long-term success of businesses.
- The return on investment is clear.
- Improved biosecurity reduces the risk of both endemic and exotic disease outbreaks.
- It ensures healthier flocks, and enhanced productivity.
To ensure farmers recognise the value of investing in biosecurity, it must be framed as an integral component of broader farm operations. When biosecurity is embedded within an overall resilience strategy, rather than treated as a standalone expense, it strengthens the ability to withstand disease challenges.
Strengthening collaboration
Building resilience against future disease threats requires industry-wide collaboration. A study conducted as part of the Flumap project by the University of Cambridge found that farmers could benefit from additional guidance on disease transmission and biosecurity adaptation. Therefore, a newly formed Government Poultry Biosecurity Group is taking proactive steps to address these gaps with a co-designed biosecurity programme. The British Poultry Council sits on this group.
- We believe that a connected approach improves communication, and this is something we want to see improved across the entire supply chain.
- Smallholders, as well as large-scale producers, play a crucial role in disease prevention.
- Establishing a centralised network via the new Government Poultry Biosecurity Group could help facilitate structured, ongoing knowledge-sharing to reinforce biosecurity as a joint effort that protects the entire sector.
- By fostering this level of collaboration, this programme has the potential to strengthen collective efforts, reduce disease risk, and enhance productivity.
- We are optimistic and look forward to feeding into the group as it begins to take shape.
Innovation, innovation, innovation
Advancements in disease management present new opportunities for improving resilience. Digital tools, real-time disease tracking, and early warning systems can help producers detect potential issues faster, enabling rapid response and reducing the spread of infection.
- We are working with livestock protection solutions provider, Livetec Systems, to help our members embrace the latest biosecurity services for proactive disease management.
- We want to evolve our approach to efficient and compliant disease prevention with data-informed decision-making.
- Our work with Livetec Systems ensures that we can streamline operational efficiencies across farms and empower our members with the tools and expertise to stay ahead of the curve in disease prevention.
Learning to live with avian influenza
The UK is widely recognised for its strong approach to biosecurity and disease control. The absence of lateral spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the UK suggests that our current biosecurity efforts, and early reporting of disease, are effective in preventing large-scale outbreaks, as well as the rapid response from government to stamp out disease.
- While there is always room for improvement, we are proud of the commitment and vigilance shown by our producers in upholding high biosecurity standards, even in the face of ongoing challenges.
- Refining our systems to balance stringent protocols with practical implementation remains a priority.
- Through forums such as the International Poultry Council, the British Poultry Council is actively engaging with global partners and equivalents on issues surrounding avian influenza.
- Comparative studies on biosecurity enforcement and disease prevention offer valuable insights for all nations and organisations involved.
- Meaningful cross-border collaboration ensures continuous improvement in biosecurity standards worldwide.
Conclusion
Biosecurity is more than just a disease safeguard. It is the foundation of a resilient and sustainable poultry meat sector. As we learn to live with highly pathogenic avian influenza, it is evident that the strength of our biosecurity efforts determines the stability of our production which, in turn, underpins our broader food security.
However, its strength depends on continuous vigilance and improvement, as even small lapses can lead to significant risk.
- To build long-term resilience, we must shift our perspective from reactive to proactive. This requires addressing human error, investing in infrastructure, and fostering collaboration across the industry.
- By embedding biosecurity into daily routines and making it a shared responsibility, we reduce the risk of disease outbreaks and enhance farm productivity.
- Biosecurity is an investment, not a cost. It safeguards our birds and ensures our productivity as an industry that is feeding the nation. Through collaboration and innovation, we can strengthen our biosecurity and secure a sustainable poultry meat sector well into the future.
