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ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

Version 5.1

Click to view all ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)

Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification

New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to

Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before

Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard

Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.

This icon indicates that a record is required.

Where to find help – at the end of each section we have indicated where you can get extra guidance if you need it.

Aim:

ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

TL.AH.1 Key

Standards

A Flock Health Plan to proactively manage and improve health and welfare of birds must be established and implemented. (Revised)

How you will be measured

TL.AH.1.a

Is specific to a farm or group of farms under same company’s control.

TL.AH.1.b

Is prepared and reviewed by the vet that has overall responsibility for the care of the animals.

TL.AH.1.c

Is reviewed annually or more often in the event of substantial changes to husbandry practices or poor performance.

TL.AH.1.d

Contains a strategy for the prevention and control of common diseases.

TL.AH.1.e

Sets out health and husbandry procedures covering the whole of the production cycle/year.

TL.AH.1.f

Sets out a vaccination programme, which is tailored to the needs of the farm.

TL.AH.1.g

Is available to all members of staff who have responsibility for birds.

Health Plan

TL.AH.2

Standards

Records of the health and performance of all birds must be maintained. (Revised)

How you will be measured

TL.AH.2.a

Records are present for current and previous flock/hatchery cycles.

TL.AH.2.b

Records are up to date.

TL.AH.2.c

Health and performance records contain as a minimum: - number of eggs, poults or birds delivered - date eggs/poults /birds delivered - origin of flock (hatchery, breeder flock) - daily mortality rate and cumulative daily mortality rate, including culls - date of sale, number sold and average weight - litter used - incidence of disease - post-mortem records - any problems or extraordinary events - veterinary advice

Health and performance records

TL.AH.3

Standards

Health and performance records must be reviewed regularly.

How you will be measured

TL.AH.3.a

Regular review of records to identify key issues.

TL.AH.3.b

If key issues are identified, veterinary advice is sought

Key issues documented in Flock Health Plan

TL.AH.4

Standards

The health and welfare of birds must be met at all times.

How you will be measured

TL.AH.4.a

Any health or welfare issues have been detected and are being managed.

TL.AH.5

Standards

The health and welfare of birds must be checked regularly.

How you will be measured

TL.AH.5.a

Regular checks looking for signs of illness, injury and stress.

TL.AH.5.b

Flock inspection is carried out at least twice daily.

TL.AH.5.c

Poults are closely monitored on arrival.

TL.AH.5.d

Stockmen walk within 3m of every bird and encourage them to move.

TL.AH.5.e

Records of inspections are made and include observations, problems identified and any remedial action taken.

Flock inspection records

TL.AH.5.1

Standards

Signs of pododermatitis must be monitored and recorded.

How you will be measured

TL.AH.5.1.a

Veterinary advice sought if pododermtatitis exceeds normal levels.

Pododermatitis records

TL.AH.6 Key

Standards

Birds must be handled in a way that avoids injury and minimises stress.

How you will be measured

TL.AH.6.a

This includes stags during milking and hens during insemination.

TL.AH.6.b

Stags have been made accustomed to being handled.

TL.AH.7 Key

Standards

All persons looking after the health and welfare of birds/poults must be demonstrably competent.

How you will be measured

TL.AH.7.a

Staff have skills and knowledge in: - normal and abnormal bird behaviour - fear reactions - signs of good health and poor health and disease - correct handling of birds - litter management - signs of thermal stress in birds and procedures to be followed in event of a problem

TL.AH.7.b

You are satisfied that any contractors used are competent.

TL.AH.7.1

Standards

There must be a named Welfare Officer who is responsible for co-ordinating welfare on-farm/in the hatchery. (New)

How you will be measured

TL.AH.7.1.a

The Welfare Officer's name and contact number are displayed on farm/in the hatchery.

TL.AH.7.1.b

The Welfare Officer is responsible for: - liaison with vets, Defra, APHA - ensuring all staff are fully trained in welfare issues - monitoring welfare policies, procedures and standards

TL.AH.7.2 Key

Standards

All poultry farms/hatcheries must retain the services of a named veterinary surgeon or practice.

TL.AH.8

Standards

Sick or injured birds/poults must receive prompt attention in order that suffering is not prolonged.

How you will be measured

TL.AH.8.a

This could include the use of segregation pens with stocking density no greater than 19 kg/m2.

TL.AH.8.b

Segregation pens are checked a minimum of twice per day.

TL.AH.8.c

Key staff will be able to identify signs of bird behaviour/abnormalities, disease or illness and have the knowledge to take appropriate action including the seeking of support from the Welfare Officer or vet on how and when to euthanase turkeys.

TL.AH.9 Key

Standards

Birds that do not respond to treatment or require emergency euthanasia must be promptly and humanely euthanased by a trained and competent person.

How you will be measured

TL.AH.9.a

Decision to euthanase made by a trained and competent person.

TL.AH.9.b

Turkeys under 5kg can be euthanased by neck disolation, a percussion killer recommended by the Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) or another method permitted by legislation and recommended by the HAS.

TL.AH.9.c

Turkeys over 5kg are to be euthanased by a percussive killer recommneded by the Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) or another method permitted by legsilation and recommended by the HAS.

TL.AH.9.d

Staff that euthanase birds are trained.

TL.AH.10

Standards

Flocks must be monitored for Salmonella under the National Control Plan.

How you will be measured

TL.AH.10.a

Tests are carried out in a Government authorised laboratory.

TL.AH.10.b

Where a flock has been confirmed as infected a written cleaning and disinfection procedure is implemented.

TL.AH.10.c

Confirmed infected flocks are sent for slaughter at the end of the processing plant’s daily programme.

TL.AH.10.d

Testing is carried out according to a written sampling plan set out by a vet.

TL.AH.10.e

This includes poult fluff, meconiums, hatcher tray liners or poult box liners.

TL.AH.10.f

Records of tests are kept which include: - the date on which each flock is sampled for Salmonella - where there is more than one flock on the holding, the identification of the flock. The flock should be identified by the house name/number, month and year the flock was moved into the house - the age of the flock sampled - the Government approved laboratory to which the sample was sent and the result of each test when it is received from the testing laboratory - the date of intended slaughter
  • Sampling Plan written by vet
  • Salmonella testing records kept for two years
  • Cleaning and disinfection procedure

TL.AH.10.1

Standards

Where a flock has tested positive for Salmonella Enteritidis and/or Typhimurium environmental swabs, representative of the building/housing must be taken and building/housing not restocked until two negative results have been obtained.

Environmental swab test results

TL.AH.10.3

Standards

Flocks must be tested to determine Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae and Mycoplasma meleagridis status. (New)

How you will be measured

TL.AH.10.3.a

Flocks are tested as a minimum: - 4 weeks prior to the onset of lay - at least every 12 weeks after initial testing

TL.AH.10.3.b

Testing records with: - date of testing - result of testing are retained for at least 5 years and communicated to the hatchery A positive test will be considered to be a field strain infection unless laboratory testing on the isolated Mycoplasma shows this is caused by a vaccine strain.

Flock M. gallisepticum, M. synoviae, and M. meleagridis testing records

  • Further information on animal health and welfare is given in the Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock – Meat Chickens and Breeding Chickens and at www.gov.uk/animal-welfare
  • Guidance on animal health and disease can be found at www.nadis.org.uk
  • The Humane Slaughter Association provide information on euthanasia on their website www.hsa.org.uk