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This research project reviews current farm practices used in the free range and organic sectors. Those practices thought to reduce the likelihood of chicken flocks becoming colonised with campylobacter will be investigated.
<p>The first phase of the project will review farm practices to identify those thought to reduce campylobacter flock colonisation, or extend the time taken for birds to become infected (the so called lag phase).
<p>The end of phase one will form a natural break point, the project will end at this point if no suitable practices are identified.
<p>The second phase will evaluate the effects of any identified practices on up to six farms with monitoring of campylobacter flock prevalence continuing for one year.
<p>Recommendations will be produced based on these intervention studies on best practice and could be used to produce guidance material for the UK poultry industry.
<p>There are marked differences between production systems and management practices used for broiler, free range and organic chickens.
<p>These differences might influence exposure of birds to campylobacter and transmission of campylobacter within and between flocks.
<p>This project will investigate those farm practices thought to be effective in reducing campylobacter flock colonisation. Conclusions will be validated by microbiological testing.
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Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.