Order No. 95 of the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority validating Veterinary Sanitary Regulation on the procedure for monitoring in the slaughterhouse the level of contact dermatitis in chickens intended for meat production.

This Veterinary Sanitary Regulation establishes the procedure for monitoring in the slaughterhouse the level of contact dermatitis in chickens intended for meat production. Monitoring in the slaughterhouse of the level of contact dermatitis in chickens intended for meat production and the evaluation of the final score is performed as follows: (a) the last batch of chickens destined for meat production which are transported from the holding to the slaughterhouse is checked; if transported by several means of transport, the monitoring and calculation of the final score shall be carried out on a single means of transport, respectively on the last one; observing the type of plantar lesions. (b) when selecting chicken legs that are the object of the evaluation the following procedure shall be performed: (a) the first 50 legs are selected from the first part of the chicks fixed on the slaughter line, and the last 50 legs from the second part of the chicks fixed on the slaughter line; (b) the score given to each leg of chickens, depending on the presence and degree of development of the lesions, is as follows: 1. 0 points are awarded when there are no injuries at the plantar level; 1 point is awarded when, at the plantar level, the lesions are very small, with a small and limited area, with a slight discoloration that limits the affected area and weak hyperkeratosis; 2 points are awarded when, at the plantar level, the lesions are superficial, but show blackened papillae and obvious discoloration; 3 points are awarded when, at the plantar level, the lesions appear below respectively of are form of ulcerations, crusts of significant size, signs of hemorrhages, as well as edema of the plantar area of the foot. (c) the calculation method of the final score obtained after the evaluation is as follows: (a) the legs for which 2 or 3 points were awarded shall also be evaluated in the articulation of the hocks, awarding an additional point for each leg at which this lesion is identified; final evaluation includes the intervals: (a) 0-120, when there were no problems during the growing period; (b) 121-250, when there were minor problems regarding the quality of the bedding; (c) 251-400, when there were there major problems regarding the quality of the bedding and the microclimate conditions. The obligations of the economic operator carrying out its activity in the field of raising chickens destined for meat production are as follows: (a) must comply with the provisions of this monitoring procedure for all consignments of chickens intended for meat production; vehicles transporting the consignment subject to evaluation and monitoring, by completing contact dermatitis monitoring document, in accordance with the model set out in the Annex, which forms an integral part of this Regulation; (b) must maintain microclimate conditions in the shelter; and (c) notifies the regional sanitary-veterinary and food safety directorate or Bucharest municipality and the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority regarding the intention to slaughter chickens intended for meat production in another Member State, 15 days before slaughtering.