Edition 57, June 2008

Animal Welfare Officer Skill Set under development

An Animal Welfare Officer Skill Set which assists meat processing companies to meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Standard is currently under development for incorporation into the Australian Meat Industry Training Package (MTM07).

The National Meat Industry Training Advisory Council (MINTRAC) has been contracted by the Australian Meat Processors Corporation and Meat and Livestock Australia to undertake the project to identify a skill set for an Australian Animal Welfare officer and to have this skill set nationally endorsed.

The skill set will be designed to train Animal Welfare Officers who will have on-plant responsibility for supervising animal welfare practices and will enhance the standing of those required to implement the Animal Welfare Standard at Australian meat processing plants and underline the importance of the role performed.

Over the past eight months, MINTRAC has conducted extensive research and industry consultation to determine the need and possible content of the skill set. An industry reference group comprising representatives from all key stakeholders has been formed to confirm the final content and guide implementation of the skill set into the training package.

In addition, it will establish a degree of nomenclature equivalence with those charged with similar duties overseas.

This project is due for completion in June 2008. The results of the project will be submitted to the Agri-Food Industry Skills Council's Meat Standing Committee for final approval. The Animal Welfare officer Skills Set will be incorporated into version 2.1 of the Australian Meat Industry Training Package which is expected to be endorsed in July 2008.

For more information contact Jenny Kroonstuiver, MINTRAC, on 02 9819 6699, jkroonstuiver@mintrac.com.au or visit www.mintrac.com.au

This page was generated on 07 January, 2010

Tag cloud Tags: animal welfare,agriculture,agrifood industry skills council. Click here to view the tag cloud.