Ensuring customer satisfaction through the sanitary quality of our products is a major commitment for Grimaud Frères….
In a context of significant health pressures (avian influenza, major resurgence of salmonellosis), it goes without saying that biosecurity is a strategic requirement in our work as breeders, multipliers, and hatcheries of waterfowl species.
But first of all, what is biosecurity?
Biosecurity is based on four pillars! It encompasses all the material, technical, organizational, and behavioral measures designed to prevent the introduction and spread of pathogens in a farm or establishment. The aim is to guarantee the health of the animals and the sanitary quality of the products sold.
Pillar No. 1: Infrastructure and equipment designed to ensure hygiene and block external threats
Grimaud Frères’ buildings and equipment are designed to block external threats and ensure a high level of hygiene.
All farms are equipped with a three-zone entry airlock, allowing strict separation between “outside,” “intermediate,” and “clean” areas. At selection sites, showering is mandatory upon each entry.
In the hatcheries, a two-zone airlock is installed: it includes a sink and the necessary equipment to ensure thorough hand washing, as well as a boot washer at the exit.
All staff are equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, clothing, shoes, hair nets) to limit cross-contamination.
The hatcheries have clearly defined areas
• A “clean” incubation area where the product is in its shell
• A “dirty” hatching area where the product is in the down stage
• Hatching rooms organized by hatching day to ensure daily sanitary breaks.
Every year, Grimaud Frères invests heavily in the maintenance and renovation of its buildings to ensure they are completely watertight and to keep the surfaces in excellent sanitary condition.
Pillar No. 2: Cleaning, disinfection… clearly defined practices!
The key principle is simple: “you can only disinfect what is clean.”
Effective cleaning removes organic matter, while disinfection destroys or reduces residual microorganisms.
At each stage (selection, production, and hatching), a specific cleaning and disinfection protocol is defined, detailing the methods, frequency, and products to be used. These instructions are available to everyone on the site.
Grimaud Frères favours automatic dosing equipment for cleaning products in order to limit handling and ensure exact compliance with recommended doses.
The effectiveness of these protocols is regularly monitored through visual inspections and bacteriological analyses. These checks enable us to validate the best practices in place and quickly identify any necessary corrective measures.
Pillar No. 3: Highly monitored environments in livestock farming and industrial sites.
Public/professional or clean/dirty areas are clearly demarcated, with work organizations adapted to ensure compliance with these areas in terms of space and/or time.
This involves controlling the flow of people, products (animals, eggs), by-products, equipment, supplies (feed, litter, packaging, etc.) and air to prevent the introduction or spread of pathogens.
Finally, pest control plans are tailored to each site based on regular risk assessments, ensuring a safe and controlled environment.
Pillar No. 4: People at the heart of the system
The best procedures are worthless without a trained, committed and empowered team. At Grimaud Frères, strict hygiene and biosecurity measures are non-negotiable.
All employees receive regular training covering good hygiene practices, early detection of health signals, and management of risky situations. Continuous awareness is ensured during on-site team meetings, so that everyone remains actively involved in health prevention.
Frequent internal audits complement this system. They enable us to evaluate the application of procedures, identify areas requiring particular vigilance, and reinforce collective standards. Thanks to this strong human commitment, biosecurity has become a true shared culture within the company.
Conclusion
Grimaud Frères is committed to continuous improvement in order to satisfy its partners.
In a context of intense health pressure, maintaining high standards of hygiene and biosecurity is no longer an option: it is a daily commitment. By guaranteeing product quality from the hatchery stage onwards, Grimaud Frères actively contributes to the robustness and sustainability of the duck industry.
Author : Chrystèle JAMARD