Its a shame the department wouldn't divert their resources to the management of the poultry farms rather than the secondary users of the byproduct.
Chicken litter is of no threat to anyone, it is the carcasses of dead poultry that is a threat.
If poultry farms were penalized in the same way any other livestock farm would be treated for allowing sick and dead animals to remain among the healthy stock, the litter would be a valuable asset.
There are some excellent poultry farmers out there, I have walked some of these houses. These good farmers can identify sick birds at any age, in any population and remove them.
Other farmers simply focus on the targets set by the bird owners, leave for off farm jobs at 07;30 and return at 06;30 the next morning to check the computer is working.
A dairy farmer with robotic milking following poor management would probably loose his herd number within months.
The botulism caused by contaminated litter should be traced back to the poultry farm and appropriate action taken.
This will not happen, as you can not prove the source of the botulism infection, and the Northern Ireland Government / civil service is owned by Moy Park.
An exact count of birds in / birds out would be a start.
If the system can not be managed, then the system needs change.