Page 13 - National Poultry Newspaper

Major retailers back RSPCA
The year gone and the year ahead
by JOHN COWARD CEO
CHICKEN is the most popular meat in Australia.
participating in the scheme choose to do so because they are looking to raise ani- mal welfare standards, and want independent third-party certifica- tion for this.
Looking forward it ap- pears that with domestic interstate and interna- tional travel becoming more the norm, we should see a big improvement in COVID-related impacts.
Any members looking for more details on re- sponse protocols – and the interventions to re- duce the risk of their businesses being shut down due to positive
I am pleased with the support Queensland Farmers Federation has provided to our egg in- dustry by appointing a policy officer – Dr Lau- rie Dowling – in Octo- ber this year, to assist intensive animal indus- tries address legislative impacts and to provide
We are always avail- able for Queensland egg farmers and associated industry businesses to assist wherever possible including QUEP mem- bership details.
To meet the demand, more than 660 million birds were farmed in 2020 alone.
With critical impacts mostly created by COV- ID came threats around
However, I see the on- going need for height-
Contact QUEP chief executive officer John Coward on 0407 622 166 or john.coward1@gmail. com
The good news is that year on year more farms participate in the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme, rais- ing their birds to its higher welfare stand- ard.
The driver for the uptake of the RSPCA Standard was the 2014 landmark move by Coles to become the first supermarket to source RSPCA Ap- proved chicken for all its own branded fresh chicken.
Protect your farm with Elanco
Only a small proportion
of the y population is visible1
The significant up- take of the RSPCA Standard by the Aus- tralian meat chicken industry is undoubt- edly the biggest achievement for ani- mal welfare within the scheme.
This move was close- ly followed by Wool- worths and launched a transformation within the industry resulting in continual improve- ments to bird welfare.
In 2020, the scheme saw more than 579 million birds raised to the RSPCA detailed animal welfare stand- ard.
Over the years, both retailers have expand- ed their commitment to include RSPCA Approved chicken as an ingredient in other products.
The efforts and commitment by meat chicken farmers and the brands they sup- ply to raise the bar for animal welfare within their industry is some- thing to be proud of.
This has meant that not only their range of frozen products now uses chicken from farms participating in the scheme but also chicken used in ready- made meals, sand- wiches and soups.
Adult house fly
Pupae Maggots
Eggs
The Elanco ‘No Fly Zone’ program is an integrated program that utilises trusted solutions from Elanco in combination with sanitary and management practices to control adult ies and larvae throughout the season.
First released in 2010, the RSPCA Standard for meat chickens focusses on making sure birds are raised in an environ- ment that meets both their physical and be- havioural needs, such as being able to perch, scratch, peck and dust bathe.
The commitment by Coles, Woolworths and their suppliers to adopt the RSPCA Standard means chick- en farmed to higher welfare standards is more accessible than ever to Australian consumers.
Target both larval and adult life stages during the
peak y season using adulticide and larvicide products
from Elanco's bioprotection range.
While the major- ity of meat chicken farms participating in the scheme are certi- fied against the indoor requirements of the RSPCA standard only, around 20 percent are certified to both the indoor and outdoor re- quirements.
Currently Coles of- fers customers the broadest range with Coles Chicken, Coles Free Range Chicken, The Bare Bird as well as Coles Slow Hills, the first slow-growing chicken in the Austral- ian market, all RSPCA Approved.
Chicken from these farms can be labelled as free range and RSP- CA Approved.
Woolworths offers customers RSPCA Approved through Woolworths Chicken, The Bare Bird and The Free Ranger – in select stores.
Contact your Elanco representative for a customised program to suit your business.
Certification for these birds has meant improvements to the quality and appeal of the range, such as bet- ter shade, shelter and easier access.
The efforts by Coles and Woolworths has also led to a steady rise in more well- known brands sourc- ing RSPCA Approved chicken, including Da- vid Jones and ALDI, as well as an increas- ing number of restau- rants and food manu- facturing companies.
Scan the QR code to watch the video Applying Agita 100 Fly Spray and Paint-on Hang Boards
While the RSPCA standard goes above and beyond what is le- gally required in Aus- tralia, the aim is to set participating farms on a path of continuous improvement in ani- mal welfare.
growsolutions.elanco.com
Always read and follow label directions.
Farms and brands
TM Agita
100 Plus Fly bait and Paint-On, Elector , Larvadex
, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its af liates. © 2021 Elanco or its af liates. PM-AU-21-PM-AU-21-0580
www.poultrynews.com.au
National Poultry Newspaper, December 2021 – Page 13
WELL, I am sure I’m not alone when I say that we don’t need an- other year like 2021!
cases in their workforce – can contact me.
a conduit for enhanced collaboration with regu- lators.
From the impacts of COVID-19 on market de- mands and related price influences, together with uncertainty around the introduction of the proposed standards and guidelines, and the lack of available labour across the agricultural sector, surely 2022 must be the turning point.
As for the long-awaited standards and guidelines, indications are that we should see the review and recommendations being addressed by each state hopefully by mid-2022, and to provide some cer- tainty for our industry.
QUEP, along with ex- ecutives from chicken meat and dairy plus pork, will provide input to the policy officer to ensure the support is focussed and equitable across the intensive group.
From a representative position, Queensland United Egg Producers has had its hands full in 2021 – assisting our industry engage with government regulators in trying to build support and processes to address the above issues.
increased biosecurity risks aligned with the outbreaks of avian influ- enza and salmonella en- teritidis, which affected Victoria and NSW.
ened COVID interven- tions and a documented COVID Business Health Plan until ‘full vaccina- tions’ reach the 90 per- cent plus levels and com- munity transfer is under control.
Our national advocacy body Egg Farmers of Australia will maintain engagement with the Federal Minister and ad- vise industry as the pro- cess unfolds.
On behalf of the QUEP Board, our best wishes to you and your fami- lies for a safe and happy Christmas with a pros- perous 2022 ahead.
1. Reece, D. Create a “low- y” zone. Pig & Poulty Marketing, 2014; Sping:18-19. TM TM