Page 4 - National Poultry Newspaper

Workplaces and workers can be impacted by COVID-19.
While there is no evidence that chickens or chicken meat are involved in the transmission of COVID-19, chick- ens can be affected if supply and demand for meat and eggs are impacted by COVID-19 outbreaks in the community.
The jab mandate debate
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FOLLOWING the early August announcement by food manufacturer SPC that it would be the first Australian company to force staff to be vacci- nated against COVID-19, there has been a string of arguments, both for and against, put forward by government, union and business bodies.
“I am proud that we’re having ongoing conversa- tions to ensure this contin- ues to be our number one priority,” Mr Reeves said.
its workforce is paramount and must be its first and foremost responsibility.
The Shepparton-based company that makes Ard- mona canned tomatoes and Goulburn Valley packaged fruit, will mandate that all staff must be fully vacci- nated by the end of Novem- ber in order to enter any company location.
Ingham’s decided it was important to support its people and their work-life balance by allowing them to take paid time during their workday at a time more convenient and accessible to them than what it might be on a weekend or out of work hours.
“We will always prioritise the health and well-being of the industry’s workforce and thus are working with companies to ensure that practices and contingency measures continue to be in place to protect employ- ees, their families and the broader community.
Staff will receive time off to receive their vaccinations and special paid leave of up
Those with pre-existing conditions and unable to receive the vaccine will have their circumstances reviewed on a case by case basis.
“We are promoting the vaccine and encouraging workers to talk to their local medical practitioner, their trusted source of health in- formation, and to take that advice,” Mr Langbridge said.
A quick review of the Egg Farmers of Australia web- site didn’t turn up anything in relation to COVID-19, despite it being the national representative body of Aus- tralian egg farmers and rep- resenting 85 percent of all Australian egg farming.
Cant Comment by BRENDON CANT
In the same week SPC an- nounced it was mandating COVID-19 vaccinations, Queensland meatworks Teys at Rockhampton re- vealed that 94 percent of its workforce had been fully vaccinated.
“We commend the exem- plary, ongoing efforts made by our members and their supply chain partners in adapting to the challenges that this pandemic presents us with.
Also believed to include contractors, the mandate means everyone must have at least the first vaccine dose scheduled by Septem- ber 15 and administered by the end of October.
to two days for anyone who becomes unwell after their vaccination.
Teys Australia manager John Langbridge said the company did not see the necessity to even consider mandating COVID-19 vac- cinations.
“ACMF is committed to supporting its members throughout the COVID-19 response and recovery, to help industry to manage and mitigate the current, chang- ing and future impacts of COVID-19.”
Visitors to SPC sites, in- cluding its cannery in Vic- toria, will also be required to be vaccinated.
SPC chairman Hussein Rifai said the measure aimed to ensure the health and well-being of all staff and the broader community.
On its website under a ‘COVID-19 update’ drop- down menu, the Australian Chicken Meat Federation stated, “ACMF is provid- ing ongoing assistance and advice to its members to continue to safeguard the supply of chicken meat to Australian families.”
Under ‘Who we are’ it stated, “EFA promotes and ensures the sustainability of the whole Australian egg industry, developing and advocating policy and par- ticipating in public conver- sations on issues affecting the industry.”
Meanwhile, in a chicken industry first, Ingham’s will extend its health and well- being benefits to include a new vaccination leave poli- cy to cover its people across Australia and New Zealand to increase accessibility to COVID-19 vaccinations.
“It is important to know that there is no evidence that chickens, or chicken meat, are in any way involved in the transmission of COV- ID-19.”
I’d have thought, given the disruption and uncertainty COVID-19 has delivered on so many fronts over the past 18 months, it might have de- served a reference of some sort.
In an August 3 statement, Ingham’s chief executive of- ficer and managing director Andrew Reeves said Ing- ham’s had worked hard to care for its people through the pandemic.
“The industry recognises that the health and safety of
QUEP 2021 AGM notice
QUEENSLAND United Egg Produc- ers announce the 2021 annual general meet- ing to be held as a Mi- crosoft Teams video meeting at 10.00am on October 22, 2021.
the impacts for future egg farming.
resentation offered to egg farmers.
The meeting will ad- dress the election of directors, including the statutory requirements, plus receive the latest update on the Austral- ian Animal Welfare Standards and Guide- lines for Poultry and
All current members will receive an invita- tion by email prior to the AGM date with the Teams link.
For more information, call John Coward on 0407 622 166 or send an email to john.cow ard1@gmail.com
A COVID-19 update will also be provided with a focus on Queens- land Health protocols to positive cases in your workforce.
New members should contact John Coward for registration details.
QUEP invites new members to join the or- ganisation and add to the strength of the rep-
Queensland United Egg Producers
Page 4 – National Poultry Newspaper, September 2021
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