Effect of probiotics on Campylobacter colonisation within the broiler gut

{
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  "date": "2026-07-23T20:17:06+01:00",
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    "title": "Effect of probiotics on Campylobacter colonisation within the broiler gut",
    "value": {
      "amount": 500000,
      "currency": "GBP",
      "amountGross": 600000
    },
    "status": "planned",
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    "description": "A key component of the FSA work is to reduce the burden of foodborne disease in the UK.  Campylobacter is the leading bacterial cause of foodborne disease in the UK, with chicken meat being the most common food source of exposure to this pathogen.  Campylobacter is widespread in chicken farms, with 60% of UK broilers flocks carrying the pathogen at the point they are slaughtered.  Interventions further down the food chain do not reliably eliminate this pathogen.  Therefore, reducing Campylobacter colonisation on broiler flocks and contamination on chicken meat is a priority area for the FSA as this will contribute towards reducing human exposure and subsequent reported cases of foodborne disease.\nA clear evidence gap remains on whether probiotics can consistently affect Campylobacter levels in broilers, across commercial UK farms under routine production conditions, and what magnitude of log reduction is realistically achievable.\nTo address this evidence gap, the FSA are seeking research proposals for an innovative field-trial based study carried out in real-life intensive broiler houses to assess the effectiveness of a range of probiotics on reducing or delaying Campylobacter colonisation in the gut of broiler flocks.  The research should be designed to answer the following questions:\n• “To what extent can commercially available probiotic formulations reduce or delay Campylobacter colonisation in broiler flocks under commercial intensive housed farming conditions, and does this translate into reduced Campylobacter contamination of carcasses at processing?”\n• “What is the effect of these formulations on welfare and production performance indicators such as mortality, growth rate, feed conversion efficiency and flock health outcomes?”\nWe envisage that the proposed study design will consist of several discrete phases.\nGiven the complexity of controlling Campylobacter in broiler flocks, we would like the inclusion of break clauses at the end of key deliverables to allow sufficient time for the FSA, together with the researcher team, to review the phase findings and determine whether there is sufficient evidence and justification to proceed to the next stage of the project.  If not, then the FSA reserves the right to terminate the project.",
    "riskDetails": "Risks associated with a scientific services project of this nature may include, but are not limited to, delays in project delivery, budgetary pressures, changes in scope or requirements, difficulties in obtaining representative samples, sampling plan amendments, sample quality or availability issues, laboratory capacity constraints, analytical method development and validation challenges, equipment failure, data quality concerns, regulatory or legislative changes, stakeholder availability, and delays in the provision of information, materials or approvals.\nAdditional risks may include difficulties securing access to farms, animals, facilities or study sites; disease outbreaks or biosecurity restrictions impacting sampling activities; seasonal or environmental factors affecting sample collection; staff turnover or loss of key personnel; subcontractor performance issues; supply chain disruptions affecting equipment, consumables or laboratory reagents; ethical or governance approval delays; data management, storage or information security issues; and challenges in reproducing or validating scientific findings.\nGiven the phased nature of the project, there is also a risk that the findings, evidence generated or outcomes achieved during an individual phase may not provide sufficient scientific justification, value for money, or confidence to progress to subsequent phases. Break points will therefore be included at the completion of key deliverables to enable the Authority and the research team to review progress, assess findings and determine whether continuation to the next phase remains appropriate.\nThere is also a risk that research findings or analytical results may not generate the expected outcomes, requiring additional investigation, testing, refinement of methodologies or revisions to the proposed approach. Suppliers will be expected to identify, manage and mitigate such risks throughout the contract lifecycle to ensure delivery of the agreed objectives, timelines and outputs while maintaining scientific quality and robustness.",
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      "id": "GB-PPON-PJRM-6866-LYYX",
      "name": "Food Standards Agency",
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      "address": {
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        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "York",
        "postalCode": "YO1 7PR",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
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  "language": "en",
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