research, development & extension (rd&e)australianpork.com.au › wp-content › uploads ›...

AUSTRALIAN PORK LIMITED 2019/20 A Call for Tender

AUSTRALIAN PORK LIMITED

Call for Tender

Biosecurity, Exotic Disease, AMS

Research, Development & Extension (RD&E) April 2020


Call for Tender

Project 1: To create and validate best practice truck biosecurity and disinfection guidelines with practical application at export abattoirs.

Key objectives

• On departure from an abattoir 90% of trucks meet a field validated global microbiological

standard for truck hygiene. • Use microbiological markers (E. coli and/or Enterobacteria) of faecal contamination to quantify

log reduction and residual baseline counts to support the development of truck wash/decontamination standard operating procedure.

Background

African swine fever (ASF) remains a high priority for the Australian pork industry. Industry has been proactive in responding to the threat of ASF and has worked in conjunction with the states and territories on numerous ASF preparedness actions. It is critical that Industry continues to progress key gaps, opportunities and outputs related to ASF preparedness. To continue the strong progress made in response to the threat of ASF to date, Industry has identified the need to strengthen biosecurity across the supply chain.

The potential risks to pigs from disease due to pathogen contamination brought into the piggery by people, vehicles, and/or animal movements are minimised by good on-farm biosecurity practices. Understanding how the consistency and effectiveness of truck washing practices being used at each pork export abattoir can support on-farm biosecurity is required. The review is to include, but is not limited to trucks and trailers used to transport pigs, trailer fabrication and design, abattoir design and logistical flows, driver contamination risks, unloading and lairage movement protocols, quality and location of current truck wash facilities, testing of bacterial load prior to and after washing and decontamination, washing and use of approved APVMA disinfectants, and methodology for managing an ASF incident both on and off abattoir site including effluent management. The report is to include key practical recommendations for improvements.

Project requirements

The successful applicant will be expected to:

• Build on a key initiative undertaken in South Australian in 2019 to review vehicle disinfection capabilities (Lloyd and Dunstan, 2019);

• Engage with APL’s ASF Technical Committee to gain understanding of relevant work undertaken to date and key animal health and commercial imperatives;

• Engage and collaborate with pork producers, export processors, transport companies, state governments and the Animal Health Committee Depopulation, Disposal and Decontamination Task group;

• Engage with EPA and waste-water authorities to ensure chemical/disinfectant and truck wash discharge meets the trade waste-water requirements for discharge to sewage;

• Review and maintain awareness of industry/government activities related to vehicle biosecurity both nationally and internationally;

• Gather international learnings from countries where there are high incidences of serious diseases;

• Review and evaluate truck biosecurity and disinfection practices across all pig export abattoirs;


• Assess and compare the quality of truck wash facilities at export abattoirs and suggest upgrades as required;

• Assess and measure pathogen load and contamination under different abattoir biosecurity and vehicle disinfection protocols;

• Provide practical recommendations outlining a detailed description of the process and equipment required to quickly and safely decontaminate trucks in order to mitigate the potential spread of disease;

• Develop a best practice truck biosecurity and disinfection manual to minimise disease spread that outlines minimum biosecurity standards and standards required in the event of an exotic disease outbreak such as ASF, and between farms and abattoir;

• Adopt AusVetPlan principles, as appropriate, and provide practical and feasible recommendations to industry, drawing on ASF and associated operational manuals as appropriate;

• Demonstrate value in terms of both practical applicability, reduced disease burden through truck washing and ensuring ongoing market access; and

• Outcomes from this study are expected to enhance the Australian pork industry’s reputation as a supplier of clean, green product adding value to industry in terms of sustainability, productivity and profitability.

Project deliverables

1. A review and evaluation of truck biosecurity and disinfection methodologies across all pig

export abattoirs in Australia, including exploring options for use of available off-site commercial truck washes as an interim measure if no effective facility at abattoir.

2. Provision of recommendations to mitigate spread of pathogens by trucks between abattoirs to farms.

3. Best practice, operationally achievable truck biosecurity and disinfection guidelines and resources for export abattoirs.

4. Testing of guidelines and resources on abattoirs and several farms including owner-operator and commercial transporter farm scenarios.

Evaluation criteria

• Scientific quality and research relevance

o Scientific foundation of the project proposal and quality of the research plan. • Project proposal feasibility

o Realism and feasibility of the research (with respect to the planned time, objectives, intended results, risks, proposed costs and resources available).

• Applicant and research environment quality o Scientific competence and research contributions of the applicant, research

institute and/or team members in the proposed area (based on previous accomplishments and international relationships).

• Adoption strategy for industry o Monitoring and evaluation plan that evaluates project outputs, measures project

KPI outcomes and extension success. Timeline

Date Activity 27 April 2020 Applications open 14 May 2020 Applications close 5 June 2020 Review applications 19 June 2020 Expected execution of contract/issue of Provider Agreement


1 August 2020 Review and evaluate consistency of truck washing practices across all pig export abattoirs.

30 September 2020 Assess and measure pathogen load and contamination under various cleaning methodologies.

30 November 2020 Provide recommendations to mitigate the potential spread of disease between farms and abattoir.

15 December 2020 Develop a best practice truck wash manual to minimise disease spread.

28 February 2021 Trial the effectiveness of the manual and resources on several farms and abattoirs making amendments based on findings and feedback.

30 March 2021 Expected project completion date Reference Lloyd, B., Dunstan, M. 2019. Review of Truck Biosecurity at South Australian Pig Abattoirs. Pork SA, Pig Industry Advisory Group.

Submissions How to make a submission:

Register or log in via PigConnect - https://pigconnect.australianpork.com.au/

• Submit and manage Project Applications • View and manage your in-progress Projects • Review Project Applications referred to you

Submissions close 5pm Thursday 14 May 2020

Contact If you are interested in submitting an application, please contact Dr Lechelle van Breda Manager Production Stewardship 0447 099 397 [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Call for Tender Project 2: Practical on-farm decontamination guidelines after an exotic disease outbreak.

Key objectives

Determine effective decontamination methods (i.e. eradication of disease) and procedures to complete on-farm decontamination processes considering;

• Safety/WHS (human) (APVMA approved products) • Cost effective • Targeted to best disease control outcomes/meeting disease control objectives • Targeted to optimal business continuity • Environmentally compliant • Possible within resource and logistical constraints • Time-sensitive • Minimal damage to property

Background

African swine fever (ASF) remains a high priority for the Australian pork industry. Industry has been proactive in responding to the threat of ASF and has worked in conjunction with the states and territories on numerous ASF preparedness actions. It is critical that Industry continues to progress key gaps, opportunities and outputs related to ASF preparedness. To continue the strong progress made in response to the threat of ASF to date, Industry has identified the need to understand on-farm decontamination in the event of an ASF outbreak to ensure business continuity.

This project will develop practical guidelines for whole of farm decontamination including the application of currently approved APVMA disinfectant chemicals, washing and other methods of decontamination. Guidelines should consider the survivability of the virus in the environment and potential environmental impacts such as run-off, leaching and the treatment of effluent ponds. The project will also develop and assess three case studies for on-farm decontamination based on various farm sizes, production types and effluent systems that can be adapted to create a template to meet industry and jurisdictional requirements.


This application will aim to:

• Engage with APL’s ASF technical committee to gain understanding of relevant work undertaken to date and key animal health and commercial imperatives;

• Engage, consult and collaborate with pork producers, the appropriate state and local jurisdictions, the Animal Health Committee Depopulation, Disposal and Decontamination Task group, EPA, state soil conservation and other relevant experts;

• Review and maintain awareness of industry/government activities related to DDD (depopulation/disposal/decontamination) both nationally and internationally;

• Review and understand the objectives of a decontamination program; • Ensure appropriate whole of farm decontamination including but not limited to infrastructure,

equipment, vehicles, effluent, waste and other sources of contaminated material/s; • Ensure compliance with local and state legislation and be environmentally sustainable; • Evaluate potential current or future environmental and other consequential impacts; • Provide guidance in relation to equipment, chemical and other resource and logistical

requirements to undertake a successful decontamination program;


• Develop and assess three cases studies using nominated piggeries of different size and type, providing site-specific recommendations for decontamination;

• Develop best practice guidelines for decontamination, including criteria to determine the most appropriate methodology for different piggery types that adopts AusVetPlan principles as appropriate and provide practical and plausible recommendations achievable by industry, drawing on ASF and associated operational manuals as appropriate; and;

• Develop a template outlining required information to determine appropriate on-farm decontamination methodology for various farm sizes, production types and effluent systems (including time determined necessary to ‘decontaminate’ an effluent pond (if there is no treatment other than time & desiccation or if the liquid is pumped onto pasture leaving sludge). This template should be able to be adapted or slightly modified for each jurisdiction and included as part of a farm biosecurity plan.


1. A review of criteria/requirements for a successful piggery decontamination program. 2. Legally compliant, environmentally sound, operationally achievable best practice

guidelines for the decontamination of piggeries of different sizes and types. Guidelines to include criteria to determine the most appropriate methodology for different piggeries, and guidance in relation to resources required to undertake a decontamination program.

3. Case studies of three piggeries of different size and type, providing site-specific recommendations for decontamination, including detail of resources required.

4. A template outlining information required to determine appropriate decontamination methodology for a given farm that can be adapted for each jurisdiction for inclusion in a farm biosecurity plan.

Evaluation criteria








Date Activity 27 April 2020 Applications open 14 May 2020 Applications close 5 June 2020 Review applications 19 June 2020 Expected execution of contract/issue of Provider Agreement 30 August 2020 Provide a review of criteria/requirements for a successful piggery

decontamination program.


30 October 2020 Develop and assess three cases studies. Provide recommendations for site specific decontamination guidelines considering various methodologies, including evaluating potential current or future environmental impacts and detailing resources required.

15 December 2020 Develop best practice guidelines for decontamination of piggeries of different sizes and type, and a template outlining required information for appropriate on-farm decontamination based on various farm sizes and production types that can be adapted or slightly modified for each jurisdiction and included as part of a farm biosecurity plan.

28 February 2021 Expected project completion date








Call for Tender

Project 3: Mass disposal on-farm in the event of an exotic disease outbreak.

Key objectives

Determine and document how appropriate mass disposal methods could occur on-farm considering; • Safety/WHS (human) • Human/animal welfare • Terminal (destruction) • Targeted to best disease control outcomes/meeting disease control objectives • Targeted to optimal business continuity • Environmentally compliant • Possible within resource and logistical constraints • Time-sensitive • Mindful of employees and community legacy • Minimal damage to property • Legal and considerate of jurisdictional peculiarities • Cost considered • Achievable • Orderly/controlled

Background

African swine fever (ASF) remains a high priority for the Australian pork industry. Industry has been proactive in responding to the threat of ASF and has worked in conjunction with the states and territories on numerous ASF preparedness actions. It is critical that Industry continues to progress key gaps, opportunities and outputs related to ASF preparedness. To continue the strong progress made in response to the threat of ASF to date, Industry has identified the need to develop mass on- farm disposal plans that could be incorporated into on-farm biosecurity plans to manage an exotic disease outbreak or natural disaster.


The successful applicant will be expected to:


• Engage, consult and collaborate with pork producers, the appropriate state and local jurisdiction, the Animal Health Committee Depopulation, Disposal and Decontamination Task group, EPA and state soil conservation specialists to ensure compliance with state legislation demonstrating environmentally sustainable and appropriate on-farm disposal;


• Review and understand the objectives and priorities of a mass disposal program that adopts AusVetPlan principles as appropriate and provide practical and feasible recommendations to industry, drawing on ASF and associated operational manuals as appropriate;

• Assess and evaluate potential current or future impacts including licensing, biosecurity during and after the disposal process, community and environmental legacy, future land use, work health and safety, legal, financial and other considerations;


• Evaluate available on-farm alternatives including benefits and constraints in different situations, defining why on-farm disposal may not always be an option, outlining constraints and defining criteria for determining when off-site disposal is required;

• Provide detailed recommendations for site specific disposal using contracted and locally sourced equipment, either on-farm or from a neighbouring property, including criteria where this might be a suitable alternative and resources required to successfully undertake a massed disposal program; and;

• Develop a template outlining required information to determine whether on-farm disposal is appropriate based on criteria (farm size and type, location, geography, water table, soil type, property size, local council regulations etc) determined and which can be adapted or slightly modified for each jurisdiction for inclusion in a farm biosecurity plan.


1. Develop legally compliant, environmentally sound, operationally achievable criteria to

determine which situations on-farm disposal may be suitable for. 2. Define criteria or situations for which on-farm disposal will not be suitable, and why. 3. Undertake a case study of three piggeries in different states that represent various farm size

and type, location, geography, water table, soil type, property size, proximity to a sensitive area, local council regulations etc, providing site-specific recommendations for on-farm disposal, including detail of resources required.

4. Develop a template outlining information required to determine whether on-farm disposal is appropriate (based on criteria determined), which can be adapted for different jurisdictions for inclusion in a farm biosecurity plan.

Evaluation criteria








Date Activity 27 April 2020 Applications open 14 May 2020 Applications close 5 June 2020 Review applications 19 June 2020 Expected execution of contract/issue of Provider Agreement 30 August 2020 Develop and assess three case studies in various states for on-farm

mass disposal.


30 November 2020 Develop criteria to determine where on-farm disposal may be suitable. Develop a template outlining required information to determine whether on-farm disposal is appropriate for a given farm, and that can be adapted or slightly modified for each jurisdiction.

15 December 2020 Expected project completion date








Call for Tender

Project 4: Mass herd euthanasia on-farm in the event of an exotic disease outbreak.

Key objectives

Determine and document how appropriate depopulation methods could occur on-farm considering; • Safety/WHS (human) • Human/animal welfare • Terminal (destruction) • Targeted to best disease control outcomes/meeting disease control objectives • Targeted to optimal business continuity • Environmentally compliant • Possible within resource and logistical constraints • Time-sensitive • Mindful of employees and community legacy • Minimal damage to property • Legal and considerate of jurisdictional peculiarities • Cost considered • Achievable • Orderly/controlled

Background

African swine fever (ASF) remains a high priority for the Australian pork industry. Industry has been proactive in responding to the threat of ASF and has worked in conjunction with the states and territories on numerous ASF preparedness actions. It is critical that Industry continues to progress key gaps, opportunities and outputs related to ASF preparedness. To continue the strong progress made in response to the threat of ASF to date, Industry has identified the need to develop on-farm mass depopulation plans that could be incorporated into on-farm biosecurity plans. These would include options for depopulation of pigs on-farm in the event of an exotic disease outbreak or natural disaster.

This project should develop and evaluate three scenarios for on-farm mass depopulation based on various farm sizes and production types. It should review and evaluate the practicalities, viability and animal welfare considerations of various depopulation methods including electrocution and carbon dioxide. Project outcomes should be suitable to be included as part of an on-farm biosecurity plan and should also provide a template that can be easily modified to meet jurisdictional requirements.


This application must:


• Engage, consult and collaborate with pork producers state and federal jurisdictions, the Animal Health Committee Depopulation, Disposal and Decontamination Task group and other experts (including international expertise as relevant), ensuring compliance with legislation;


• Consider the objectives of a massed destruction process;


• Review and evaluate electrocution and carbon dioxide as potential massed depopulation methods, with consideration to;

o Disease control objectives o Business continuity o Community impact o Animal welfare o Impact on response timeframe/timeline o Work health and safety, o Legal considerations o resourcing and logistics o Cost o Other relevant risks and considerations

• Consider criteria/triggers for the application of these methods (CO2, electrocution) by comparison with other destruction methods that are available;

• Consider criteria/triggers for the application of other methods of mass destruction; • Consider circumstances in which certain methods of mass destruction would not be

applicable, and why? • Adopt AusVetPlan principles as appropriate and provide practical and plausible

recommendations achievable by industry, drawing on ASF and associated operational manuals as appropriate;

• Provide recommendations for age and site-specific mass depopulation for piggeries of different size and type, using locally sourced equipment, or equipment available through the relevant state jurisdiction; and;

• Develop a template outlining required information to determine appropriate on-farm depopulation methods based on farm size and production type that can be adapted or slightly modified for each jurisdiction and included in a farm biosecurity plan.


1. A review of the objectives of a mass disposal process. 2. A review of electrocution and CO2 gas for mass depopulation with consideration to

disease control, business continuity, community impact, animal welfare, impact on response timeframe, work health and safety, legal considerations, resources required, cost and other considerations identified.

3. Criteria/triggers for the application of different mass destruction processes including electrocution and CO2 (in what circumstances would each method be applicable or not applicable, and why?).

4. Scenarios of three piggeries of different size and type, providing site-specific recommendations for on-farm destruction, including detail of resources required.

5. A template outlining information required to determine appropriate on-farm depopulation methods based on criteria determined and for farms of different size and production types. Template to be able to be adapted for each jurisdiction and included in a farm biosecurity plan.

Evaluation criteria




• Applicant and research environment quality


o Scientific competence and research contributions of the applicant, research institute and/or team members in the proposed area (based on previous accomplishments and international relationships).



Date Activity 27 April 2020 Applications open 14 May 2020 Applications close 5 June 2020 Review applications 19 June 2020 Expected execution of contract/issue of Provider Agreement 1 August 2020 Review objectives of massed disposal.

Review electrocution and CO2 gassing for massed depopulation.

1 September 2020 Develop and assess three case studies in various states for on-farm mass depopulation based on various farm sizes and production types.

30 October 202 Develop criteria/triggers for the application of different massed depopulation methods, considering in what circumstances would each method be suitable or not.

30 November 2020 Develop a farm biosecurity template outlining information required to determine appropriate on-farm mass depopulation methods for farms of different size and production types that can be adapted for each jurisdiction and included in a farm biosecurity plan









Call for Tender

Project 5: To create and validate antimicrobial stewardship resources with practical application for on-farm pig management practices.

Background

The World Health Organization considers antimicrobial resistance to be one of the key global health challenges facing our generation. Surveillance and reporting of antimicrobial resistance and reducing antimicrobial usage in human medicine, veterinary medicine and agricultural production are global health priorities.

The Australian Pork Industry has a long track record of funding research aimed at reducing antimicrobial resistance in Australian pork production, for example improved methods of controlling endemic disease, vaccine development, the enterprise antimicrobial usage tool, and biosecurity tools for pork producers. However, to date the Pork Industry’s achievements have not been well recognised.

‘Stewardship’ describes a situation where an individual takes responsibility for the care and management of something not owned by that individual. In the past, stewardship has applied to responsible care of the environment and to animal welfare. Over the past twenty years, the critical importance of the care and management of antimicrobials as precious, non-renewable resources has been recognised and, hence, the term ‘stewardship’ is now being applied to practices that minimise the need for antimicrobial use, as well as practices related to the use of these drugs.

Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) is taking personal responsibility for the use of antimicrobials, thereby ensuring the careful and responsible management of these antimicrobials. In the context of the Australian pork industry, AMS does not mean removal of antimicrobials for use in animal treatment; instead it means using “as little as possible, as much as necessary” to ensure high levels of health and welfare throughout a pig’s life. Although producers work closely with their veterinarians to keep their pigs healthy, AMS practices are not always clearly understood.


The aim of AMS in Australian piggeries program is to improve producer understanding of the causes and risks associated with antimicrobial resistance. To achieve this, the AMS in Australian piggeries program is seeking to develop and implement AMS at the industry and individual enterprise level based on the 5R framework, which includes five essential components: Responsibility, Review, Reduce, Refine and Replace. The 5R’s of good AMS provide a framework for ensuring high standards of animal health and welfare exist to reduce the incidence of disease, and ultimately reduce the need for antimicrobials and the potential for antimicrobial resistance.

This application will aim to develop educational resources:

• an AMS manual for producers; • validation of the AMS manual and implementation of an AMS plan on three pig farms, including

economic and cost benefit analysis; and, • a package of AMS train-the-trainer materials to extend the implementation of AMS plans

across the Australian pork industry and to provide resources for veterinarians to encourage AMS activities on farm.


The resources should also seek to: • engage pork producers and processors in AMS by demonstrating value in terms of both

productivity and market access; • support the role of pig veterinarians as the stewards of antimicrobial use and resistance

prevention for the pork industry; • enhance the Australian pork industry’s reputation as a supplier of clean, green product adding

value in terms of sustainability, productivity and profitability; and; • inform government of the Australian pork industry’s antimicrobial stewardship activities and

how these are aligned with Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy. We envisage that the consultant will liaise with pig veterinarians to understand the resources and educational materials required to assist with educating producers.


To create, develop and validate antimicrobial stewardship resources with practical application for on- farm pig management practices.

Evaluation criteria








Date Activity 27 April 2020 Applications open 14 May 2020 Applications close 5 June 2020 Review applications 19 June 2020 Expected execution of contract/issue of Provider Agreement 30 August 2020 Develop producer AMS PowerPoint and/or short videos resources

based on pig veterinary and producer input.

30 September 2020 Create a producer manual outlining how AMS can be implemented on-farm with examples.

30 November 2020 Trial the effectiveness of the manual and resources on several farms and make amendments based on producer feedback.



Submissions How to make a submission: Register or log in via PigConnect - https://pigconnect.australianpork.com.au/





research, development & extension (rd&e)australianpork.com.au › wp-content › uploads ›...

Documents