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.
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Where to find help – at the end of each section we have indicated where you can get extra guidance if you need it.
AB.PW.a
Standards
A poultry welfare policy for the site is documented and communicated
How you will be measured
Policy
AB.PW.a.1
Standards
Animal Welfare Officer(s) (AWO) must be on-site during operational hours and hold overall responsibility for poultry welfare on the site
How you will be measured
Management structure/ organogram
AB.PW.a.2
Standards
There must be a sufficient number of competent persons working within the lairage and slaughter areas during operational hours to care for and handle birds
How you will be measured
AB.PW.a.3
Standards
All staff involved in the care, handling and monitoring of birds must be trained and competent
How you will be measured
Training records
AB.PW.a.4
Standards
The ongoing performance of staff who care for and handle birds must be monitored and training updates or refresher training given as required
How you will be measured
Training record
AB.PW.a.5
Standards
Systems must be in place to ensure appropriate, competent persons are contactable out of operational hours
How you will be measured
Signs/ contact numbers
AB.PW.a.6
Standards
The AWO(s) must have access to or hold a copy of the most up-to-date regulations and recommendations relating to protecting the welfare of animals at the time of killing
How you will be measured
AB.PW.a.7
Standards
You must contact Red Tractor and/ or your Certification Body immediately if a serious incident or emergency situation threatens the welfare of the birds e.g. line breakdown
AB.PW.a.8
Standards
Welfare outcome scoring must be carried out on ducks
How you will be measured
Welfare outcome scoring is carried out as per the relevant Appendix
Welfare outcome scoring records per lorry
AB.PW.b
Standards
The lairage must be designed and constructed to meet the thermal requirements of birds
How you will be measured
AB.PW.b.1
Standards
Ventilation systems must be maintained and alarms regularly tested
How you will be measured
AB.PW.b.1.1
Standards
In the event of ventilation equipment failure, contingency plans and corrective actions must be implemented
How you will be measured
AB.PW.b.2
Standards
Systems of forecasting risks of temperature stress to birds in the lairage environment must be undertaken
How you will be measured
AB.PW.b.2.1
Standards
Systems must be in place to regularly monitor and record the temperature and humidity of the lairage and birds’ environment
How you will be measured
Temperature records. Thermal comfort zone chart
AB.PW.b.2.2
Standards
Where forecasting or monitoring identifies a risk of humidity or temperature stress, preventative or corrective action must be implemented to protect bird welfare
How you will be measured
Documented procedures
AB.PW.c
Standards
The lairage must be designed to allow ease of movement of crates and modules
AB.PW.c.1
Standards
Birds must not be subjected to avoidable, excessive or sudden noises
How you will be measured
AB.PW.c.2
Standards
The lairage must be suitably lit
How you will be measured
AB.PW.d
Standards
The lairage must be constructed and maintained in a manner that enables effective cleansing and disinfection
How you will be measured
AB.PW.d.1
Standards
The lairage must be cleansed and disinfected regularly to minimise contamination
How you will be measured
AB.PW.e
Standards
A daily, visual check of the facilities used for live birds must be carried out by a competent member of staff, prior to the start of the day’s kill
How you will be measured
AB.PW.f
Standards
Systems must be in place to ensure that birds are held in the lairage for the minimum time possible
How you will be measured
AB.PW.f.1
Standards
A record of the date and time of bird arrival, time of hanging on or entering of gas systems and killing must be kept
How you will be measured
Flock arrival and killing records
AB.PW.f.2
Standards
If DOA numbers exceed 1.5% for chickens, 0.25% for turkeys and 0.5% for ducks in a single load of birds, the root cause established and correction action undertaken
How you will be measured
AB.PW.g
Standards
A system must be in place to check the health and welfare of poultry that come onto site
How you will be measured
Crate inspection records, Food Chain Information
AB.PW.g.1
Standards
Systems must be in place to check birds for signs of injury and fitness before stunning and killing
How you will be measured
AB.PW.g.2
Standards
Prompt appropriate action is undertaken in the event of health or welfare concerns being identified in the poultry checks
How you will be measured
AB.PW.g.3
Standards
Birds that require emergency killing must be dealt with immediately by a competent person according to the sites documented procedure
How you will be measured
AB.PW.h
Standards
Staff handling birds must be trained and competent
How you will be measured
AB.PW.i
Standards
Modules and crates are unloaded in a careful manner
How you will be measured
AB.PW.i.1
Standards
Modules and crates are positioned or stacked appropriately
How you will be measured
AB.PW.j
Standards
Systems must be in place to minimise the risk of birds escaping
How you will be measured
AB.PW.k
Standards
Birds must be handled appropriately at electrical stunning and killing points
How you will be measured
AB.PW.k.0
Standards
It is recommended that live bird hang on time is as short as possible and no longer than a maximum of 30 seconds
AB.PW.k.1
Standards
Birds must be stunned and killed in accordance with current legislation
How you will be measured
AB.PW.k.2
Standards
Stunning and killing electrical methods, must be carried out in accordance with legal requirements, best practice guidelines and the sites standard operating procedures
How you will be measured
Standard operating procedures
AB.PW.k.3
Standards
Electrical stunning equipment is designed to ensure an effective stun
How you will be measured
* if a ramp is in operation, it extends over the water so the birds get drawn up the ramp by the shackle and then swing down into the water in one smooth movement. Birds must not receive pre-stun shock from the ramp itself
* If a neck extender is in operation, it does not obscure viewing for the assessment of the immediacy of stunning and the absence of pre-stun shocks. Neck extenders are monitored to ensure all birds' heads are pushed below the neck extender (and not trapped above it)
Electrical stunning/ killing records
AB.PW.k.4
Standards
Birds must be checked for signs of an effective stun or kill before neck cutting
How you will be measured
AB.PW.k.5
Standards
A suitable alternative method of stunning/ killing is available and ready for immediate use should the primary stunning equipment fail
How you will be measured
AB.PW.k.6
Standards
Where there is a recurring need to use the stun back-up method, the line must be stopped immediately, the root cause established and corrective action undertaken
How you will be measured
AB.PW.k.7
Standards
Birds must be exsanguinated and bled without delay
How you will be measured
AB.PW.k.7.1
Standards
It is recommended that electrically stunned birds are decapitated and their heads macerated without delay
AB.PW.k.8
Standards
Birds must be left to bleed and no further dressing procedures (including scalding) undertaken until it has been verified that the bird has no signs of life
How you will be measured
AB.PW.k.9
Standards
Equipment used to shackle, stun and kill must be maintained in good repair and effective working order
How you will be measured
Maintenance records
AB.PW.k.10
Standards
Electrical stunning and killing equipment must be calibrated or verified to ensure it works effectively
How you will be measured
Calibration records
AB.PW.l
Standards
Birds must be handled appropriately at the stunning and killing points
How you will be measured
AB.PW.l.1
Standards
Birds must be killed in accordance with current legislation
How you will be measured
AB.PW.l.2
Standards
Stunning and killing must be carried out in accordance with legal requirements, best practice guidelines and the sites standard operating procedures
How you will be measured
Documented procedures
AB.PW.l.3
Standards
Gas stunning equipment used for poultry is designed to maintain welfare and ensure an effective stun and kill
How you will be measured
Gas concentration and exposure records
AB.PW.l.4
Standards
Birds must be checked for signs of an effective kill, immediately upon leaving the gas system
How you will be measured
AB.PW.l.5
Standards
A suitable back-up method of stunning or killing must be readily available at the exit to the gas system and bleed points or in the event of a CAS system breakdown
How you will be measured
AB.PW.l.6
Standards
Where there is a recurring need to use the back-up method, the line must be stopped immediately, the root cause established and corrective action undertaken
How you will be measured
AB.PW.l.7
Standards
Birds must be exsanguinated or bled without delay
How you will be measured
AB.PW.l.8
Standards
Birds must be left to bleed and no further dressing procedures (including scalding) undertaken until it has been verified that the bird has no signs of life
How you will be measured
AB.PW.l.9
Standards
Equipment used to stun and kill birds must be maintained in good repair and effective working order
How you will be measured
AB.PW.l.10
Standards
Gas stunning and killing equipment must be calibrated or verified to ensure it works effectively
How you will be measured
Calibration/ verification records
AB.PW.m
Standards
All crates, modules and transport vehicles must be effectively cleansed and disinfected prior to leaving the site
How you will be measured
AB.PW.m.1
Standards
Suitable disinfectants are used
How you will be measured
AB.PW.m.2
Standards
The washing facilities must be available and useable during all times of the year that the site is operated
How you will be measured
AB.PW.m.3
Standards
The washing facility must be well-managed and maintained
How you will be measured
AB.PW.m.4
Standards
Users of the wash facility must be competent
How you will be measured
AB.PW.m.5
Standards
All crates, modules and transport vehicles must be checked for cleanliness, against the sites documented protocols, before leaving the site.
How you will be measured
Cleanliness check records
AB.PW.m.6
Standards
Where the check identifies incomplete cleaning, the issue is rectified
How you will be measured
AB.PW.m.7
Standards
All crates and modules must be checked for damage, against the sites documented protocols, before leaving the site
How you will be measured
AB.PW.m.8
Standards
Where the check identifies damage that could pose a risk of injury to birds, the crate/ module must be removed
AB.PW.m.9
Standards
Wastes from the transport washing facility are stored and disposed of appropriately
How you will be measured
AB.PW.n Key
Standards
Applicable from 5th November 2018
A CCTV system must be in operation which is used to review practices and behaviours around key welfare activities
How you will be measured
Staff understanding that CCTV in use; documented procedures