Royal Decree 306/2020 which was published in the Spanish Official State Gazette (BOE) on 13 February 2020 establishes specific measures for biosecurity in pig holdings. We would like to highlight from this Royal Decree Article 5 of Chapter II, which defines the mandatory minimum operating conditions to be implemented in terms of biosecurity, infrastructure, equipment and management.
In the paragraph 2.e. Article 5 states that pig holdings must have at their disposal changing rooms before entering the production area, with visible signs with clear instructions on hygiene and biosecurity protocols. Such changing rooms shall as a minimum be equipped with a washbasin, toilet and shower system, to comply with the requirements of the paragraph 2.f of the Article 5 of Royal Decree 306/2020.
We would also like to take advantage of and emphasise the paragraph 2.d. of Article 5 where it is obliged to have at its disposal disinfection arches for vehicles entering the holding with the objective of preventing the entry and spread of pathogens and diseases.
To help our customers comply with these new regulations, Porinox has developed disinfection arches and semi-arches, as well as three models of sanitary changing rooms.
In this blog article we would like to highlight the importance of adopting good usage practices. Working habits that safeguard animal health and prevent the entry and transmission of diseases on pig farms. All the prevention we can do with equipment and infrastructures are of no use if they are not used correctly and consistently by the livestock enterprise and its staff. For this reason, we would like to make some considerations and indications that may be useful:
- Toilet changing rooms should be fitted with the minimum of furniture, just enough to facilitate the removal and storage of outer clothing and footwear. Benches for Porpanel and stainless steel coat racks provide a minimalist, functional and clean solution.
- The 3×2 and 4×2 metre models may be tempting to use this room as more than a sanitary dressing room. But it should definitely not be shared with other functions, such as storage, workshop or office, as it would be a potential source of infection.
- The shower tray is the space that delimits and separates the dirty area from the clean area. It is the border that must not be crossed by anything coming from outside without being properly disinfected.
- Equipped with an electric hot water storage tank to ensure thermal comfort and to facilitate the washing of the users.
- The availability of appropriate clothing and footwear from the company, as well as its renewal from time to time, is essential.
- Add the complement boot cleaners Porinox boots will make it much easier to wash your work boots and ensure that they are completely disinfected.
- Install a boot hangers prevents contact with dirty floors after cleaning and helps to keep them aerated.
- We stress the importance of being strict with check-in and check-out records.
In the clean area there is a folding table where all workers and personnel authorised to access the farm must register. This will allow control and traceability in case of any possible health problems. In this way it will comply with the plan for animal health visits, as set out in the Regulation (EU) 2016/429, of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016.
To newly built farms, i
mplementing these regulations is usually not a problem. But for smaller or older farms that may claim a lack of space, prefabricated modules can be a practical and economical solution. Prefabricated modular locker rooms are essential allies because they are so easy to install. All that is required is a solid floor, a grey water connection and a water and electricity connection.
According to the paragraph 2.a. of Article 5 of Royal Decree 306/2020, perimeter fencing or isolation must be provided to isolate the holding. This indicates that the sanitary changing room must be strategically located as the only pedestrian access to the interior of the holding. This same section also includes the location of the containers for the collection of carcasses outside the fence, provided that it is ensured that the deposited carcasses can only be handled by the personnel of the holding and the personnel responsible for the collection.
The advantages of the new dressing room modules from 3×2 y 4×2 metres is that they offer more space than their smaller brother of 2×2.
With a very well thought-out distribution of space, the large Porinox dressing rooms offer much more comfort for changing and storing clothes and footwear. They also offer the possibility of being used by more than one worker at the same time. However, at Porinox we offer the possibility of small redistributions and customisations that should be consulted with our technical department.
Investment in biosecurity equipment is not just about regulatory compliance. It represents a crucial step towards meeting future challenges in pig facilities with resilience and efficiency. And it can mean incalculable savings on potentially very serious problems for the entire pig production sector.