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Appendix 4b: Competence Framework (poultry)
Scope
Knowledge of the legislation applicable to the welfare of animals during transport in particular on: general conditions for the transport of animals 21; documentation requirements 22; technical rules i.e. on fitness for transport, means of transport, transport practices, watering, feed and rest times, space allowances 23; and documentation 24.
Not all of the following competences will necessarily have to be demonstrated by all drivers/attendants but those relevant to the specific role and responsibility of the driver/attendant will have to be.
In the following four key areas there is some overlap (e.g. fitness for transport requires both knowledge of the legal requirements and practical skills to apply adequately). Competencies and suggested levels of ability are indicated in brackets.
Competencies
Knowledge of the Law
1. Legislation, codes, guidance, fitness to transport requirements, enforcement tools and officers (practical understanding of operation and enforcement of the law; application of legal provision; knowledge and understanding of any associated codes or guidance).
2. Understanding drivers' responsibilities (practical understanding of own responsibility and responsibility before and after the journey such as at the place of collection and the place delivered to and who to contact in case of problems e.g. the Official Veterinary Surgeon or Poultry Welfare Officer at a slaughterhouse or other responsible person at other premises).
3. Documentation requirements for transporter and individual journeys, how to complete (documentary requirements, completion of documents, maintaining records for appropriate length of time).
4. If transporting to mainland Europe or third countries - any relevant overseas provisions, including any extra documentation required (this knowledge may be required for regular or one off journeys).
5. Feed and watering requirements (we accept this is impractical for poultry in crates, essentially this relates to maximum journey times but driver must be aware of requirements in the Regulation).
Background Knowledge of Transporting Animals
6. Basic physiology of stress; conditions that can give rise to stress; outcome of untreated stress and when not to transport birds (causes of stress, what is stress? how stress affects the bird; how to treat the effects of stress and how to avoid it). In particular, thermal stress, its effects, prevention, cure (effects of heat, cold, wetness, humidity; identifying thermal stress in birds; prevention; action to take if birds are affected; monitoring environmental and vehicle conditions).
7. Ventilation: natural and passive (role of ventilation in avoiding thermal stress; air movement patterns in vehicles and transport crates; active and passive ventilation; ventilation failure; ventilating stationery vehicles).
8. Lairage: purpose, benefits or not, unloading (understanding the role and effects of lairage on the bird; optimal lairage environment).
Planning
9. Journey planning: times, routes, contingency plans (importance of planning, identifying optimal routes, taking account of adverse weather forecasts to avoid heat / cold stress, understanding the contingency plan).
10. Contingency plans: why required, what they should contain, how to put into operation (ability to act upon the contingency plan when required).
11. Communications (who to contact, when, why?) It is recognised that personnel not necessarily directly employed or controlled by the transporter often carry out catch and place birds in crates. Because the transporter is legally responsible for the birds during transport and as catching and loading is crucial to welfare, effective communication is essential between the transporter, processor and producer. This is necessary to ensure that the transporter has the necessary assurance that the catching and loading operation has been performed correctly. The transporter should nonetheless have the following practical skills or knowledge:-
Practical Skills / Knowledge
12. Catching and handling birds without causing pain or distress (leg and foot health and clinical conditions; catching and handling methods; identification and rectification of poor catching).
13. Identification of birds not fit to transport: sick and injured birds and appropriate action to take (requires some very basic clinical skills to identify a sick bird; ability to humanely kill).
14. Operation of common crating systems, packing with birds, cleansing & disinfection, maintenance; necessity to provide crates that will not cause injury (operation of crates, how crating can cause injury).
15. Careful loading of crates on to vehicle.
16. Appropriate stocking densities and when to adjust these e.g. adverse environmental conditions and when to refer back to person responsible for planning the load (in relation to adverse weather, bird size and species).
17. Basic inspection of birds to identify heat or cold stress and gross injuries or illness; when to seek veterinary or other advice/assistance; ability to kill injured birds.
18. Driving, operating the vehicle, recognition of defects, cleansing and disinfection, vehicle construction (effect of driver behaviour on bird welfare; identifying need for repairs; use of appropriate and licensed disinfectants).
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