17. All those who contributed responses to our consultation exercise expressed the view that stockmanship is a key influence on animal welfare. The most welfare-friendly system may fail if not accompanied by competent stockmanship and sound management practice. A good stockperson can anticipate and avoid many potential welfare problems, will have a compassionate and humane attitude, and an ability to identify any problems and respond to them. Some problems may be specific to a particular unit and the stockperson should be aware of these and the ways in which they may be overcome.
18. It is essential that those who look after broiler breeders are aware of their responsibilities to the birds. Such knowledge can be acquired by experience gained on-farm and by training to an appropriate standard. A combination of experience and training is the ideal. Inexperienced staff must receive appropriate training which is validated externally before being placed in charge of the birds. Farm managers can help to ensure that training is appropriately validated by encouraging trainees to enter schemes such as the National or Scottish Vocational Qualifications.
19. Broiler breeder companies made it clear to us that they take stockmanship and staff training extremely seriously and many of the recommendations which follow are already part of the established routine. The Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994 require those attending livestock to have received instruction and guidance about the provisions of the relevant welfare code. In our experience, the industry takes its responsibilities here considerably further than this legal minimum.
20. The main breeding companies produce detailed manuals to assist farm staff. In addition, the industry provides practical training to employees that includes guidance on bird welfare. Much of this occurs on the farm, accompanied by supervised practice, although additional, specialised training may be required to meet specific needs. It is important that training continues throughout the duration of the employment, and suitable refresher courses should be undertaken regularly.
21. The development and implementation of a training plan should ensure that those working with broiler breeders recognise not only normal behaviour and good health but also signs of illness or disease. If specialised tasks are to be performed, for example beak trimming, then specific training must be given. Alternatively, the services of a competent contractor using trained staff should be obtained. Staff should be able to operate any equipment likely to be used in the daily work routine around the poultry house, be able to recognise malfunctions and, where possible, be able to carry out routine maintenance. Equipment which is not properly maintained may cause injury to both stock and operator, regardless of the care taken.
22. Breeding companies provide detailed instructions to customers which relate to the keeping of the birds and offer guidance on all aspects, including welfare. We recognise the value of this service and trust it will continue. We believe the onus rests with the primary breeding companies to ensure the instructions are clear and complete, are kept up-to-date and that copies are provided to all customers and farm managers.
23. It is essential that sufficient, well motivated and competent personnel are employed to carry out effectively all the necessary tasks throughout the year. Staff should be adequately managed and supervised, fully conversant with the tasks they will be required to undertake and competent in the use of any equipment needed to carry out these tasks.
24. Staff, including those employed by contractors, must be given appropriate training, not only on-farm from an experienced and competent poultryman, but also from a recognised training provider (either in-house or externally). They must demonstrate competence and understanding before they are given daily responsibility for the birds.
25. Training providers should take steps to ensure that standards and contents of formal training programmes are reviewed frequently and independently assessed.
26. The industry should take steps to ensure training is validated.