N.J. Admin. Code § 2:9-4.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 2:9-4.2 - Poultry distributor sanitation and biosecurity

(a) All poultry distributors shall develop and adhere to an NJDA approved biosecurity protocol. All biosecurity protocols submitted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 2:9-2.2(b)7, at a minimum, must include the following:

1. Cleaning, sanitation and disinfection to prevent transmission of Avian Influenza virus from one premises to another;

2. All non-disposable footwear shall be disinfected before entering and after leaving any premises containing poultry;

3. All disposable footwear shall be discarded after each visit to any premises containing poultry;

4. All poultry distributor personnel shall wash their hands prior to and between each entry of a premises containing live poultry;

5. Cabs (interior and exterior), tires and bodies of all conveyances shall be cleaned and disinfected to prevent transmission of the Avian Influenza virus from one premises to another; and

6. Coops, crates, flats, cages or other conveyances and other equipment shall be cleaned and disinfected prior to reuse when moving live poultry, using NJDA-approved washing equipment and protocols.

(b) All poultry distributors shall maintain records of all poultry transfers, including: poultry invoices, poultry inspection certificates, and certificates of veterinary inspection for a period of 12 months at the business premises. These records must be presented upon demand to an authorized agent of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

(c) All poultry distributors shall maintain a logbook in each vehicle used to transport live poultry certifying that they have complied with the biosecurity protocols in (a)5 and 6 above.

1. All completed logbooks must be maintained at the business premises for a period of 12 months and must be presented upon demand to an authorized agent of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

2. Each logbook shall contain the following information for each entry:

i. The date, time and location that each act of cleaning and disinfection required by (a)5 and 6 above was performed;

ii. The following statement: "I certify under penalty of law that the information provided in this entry is true, accurate and complete. I am aware that there are significant civil penalties for submitting false, inaccurate or incomplete information and significant criminal penalties, including fines and/or imprisonment for submitting false, inaccurate or incomplete information or information which I do not believe to be true."; and

iii. The printed name and signature of the agent who performed the act of cleaning and disinfection on behalf of the poultry distributor.

3. The NJDA will accept logbooks from other states that meet the requirements of (c)1, 2i and 2iii above.

4. Each logbook must be reviewed quarterly by the poultry distributor to ensure compliance with the NJDA approved biosecurity plan. Proof of this quarterly review must be shown by a certification containing the following information for each quarter:

i. The following statement: "I certify under penalty of law that I have reviewed the entries in the logbook for this quarter and that the actions of the above named agent(s) are in compliance with my NJDA approved biosecurity plan. I am aware that there are significant civil penalties for submitting false, inaccurate or incomplete information and significant criminal penalties, including fines and/or imprisonment for submitting false, inaccurate or incomplete information or information which I do not believe to be true.";

ii. The printed name and signature of the poultry distributor if the poultry distributor is an individual, or the signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the poultry distributor if the poultry distributor is a business entity; and

iii. The date in which the logbook was signed and the time period the review covers.

(d) Incidents involving false swearing or false reporting in the documents required by this subchapter may be referred by the Department for prosecution including, but not limited to, those authorized pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:28-3.

N.J. Admin. Code § 2:9-4.2

Amended by 46 N.J.R. 1471(b), effective 6/16/2014