The US Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is seeking new research proposals concerning the rapid disposal of poultry carcasses following depopulation, especially in relation to disease outbreaks.
“Mass depopulation and disposal of large layer facilities present daunting challenges,” said USPOULTRY, which currently has more than $27 million dollars (£20m) committed to industry-based research grants.
“The recent avian influenza outbreak has shown that current disposal methods may be inadequate for rapid depopulation and disposal on large farms.
“Innovative methods are needed for rapid, safe disposal of the carcasses and manure and opportunities may exist to improve currently used disposal methods.”
The organisation added that the area of focus for the desired research will include the development of alternative methods or improvement of existing methods to rapidly, safely dispose of large numbers of layer carcasses and manure with an emphasis on validating that the disposal method inactivates avian influenza virus and evaluating the potential for spread of avian influenza virus during carcass and manure disposal processes.
The deadline for pre-proposal submissions to USPOULTRY is November 1.
