copyright 2010, validus verification services, llc all rights reserved. february 15, 2013 2:00 pm...

Copyright 2010, Validus Verification Services, LLCAll rights reserved.

February 15, 2013

2:00 pm Central Time

Validus Poultry Specific Refresher Course

Copyright 2010, Validus Ventures, LLCAll rights reserved.

Objectives

• New Updates• Cage and Cage Free changes• 2012 Information• Hatchery tool • Continual Improvements• Other poultry specie audit tools• Safety• Technology• Food Safety


2013 Updates


New Re-audit Process

• If a site fails, re-audit process is 30 days• If the site fails the 30 day re-audit

– Committee discussion of the re-audit– Decision to be made by committee made up of

UEP staff and 2 producers

• If a failure does occur, continue with the audit. DO NOT STOP AUDIT PROCESS– Will assist next auditor completing audit


New Backfilling Requirement

• Past process allows a company to backfill up to 90% of the original flock

• New Process-– 100% of the number of layers at the time of the

catastrophic loss event provided that the new layers to be housed are placed in empty cages and that a catastrophic event be defined as a minimum of 6% loss of the flock within a short period of time.

– Producer MUST still notify UEP of event


New Monthly Compliance Policy

• UEP producers sent into UEP in past• UEP not staffed to continue process• Auditors now MUST view for:

– Dates when houses stocked– Verify filling out quarterly

• Will be kept on-farm monthly


Code of Conduct Clarification

• All employees handling birds must sign• ANY contractor working must sign

– Beak trimming– Transportation crews

• Randomly pick sample to view• Use as basis to talk with employees to

verify proper euthanasia and bird handling


Caged Layer Audits


Caged Layer Audit Changes

• 180 points needed to pass• No longer have hatch dates

– 67 sq. in for white birds– 76 sq. in for brown birds

• Option #1 and #2 stay the same– #1- Needs a plan in place along with a year’s

worth of auditing to the plan– #2- House average or Space allocation based

on building age


Bird Counts

• Samples need taken on top and bottom decks in two deck systems

• A good ladder is needed for 7 deck systems

• Based on cage size, calculate the number of birds they should have in each cage

• If in question, conduct calculations before leaving to prevent failure findings during QA/QC process


Manure Pit Clarification

• Verify Loose bird policy/process for “feed and water”

• Verify that manure load-out doors are closed


Enriched vs Enrichable

• Enriched– Large colony systems with cage free attributes

• Enrichable– Systems with some modifications can be made

into “enriched” systems– Still to be counted like cage facility– Approximately 10 birds per cage


Enriched Process

• UEP Board requesting USDA proceed with establishing a protocol for statistically relevant sample size of colony cages

• During 2013, space in enriched colony systems will be audited using flock records; no birds will be counted.

• Validus only entity to conduct enriched sites in 2013


Facilities

• Poor conditions are only worth 10 pts• No cats are allowed for biosecurity issues

– Food Safety issues


Cage Free Audits


Cage Free Updates

• 180 points needed to pass• Nest Space vs. Available Floor Space

– 0% allocated for floor space (Same as American Humane)

• Different requirements for aviary systems– 1 sq. ft. per bird

• Multiple levels– 1.2 brown– 1.0 white


Perch Space

• Wants auditors to give credit for linear space

• Will affect calculations• Producers will need to be detailed with

calculations and where they originate• Slatted flooring will meet 6 in. perch

requirement


2012 Information


Top 2012 Re-audit Item

• Equipment after December 31, 2003 and layers placed after August 1, 2008 will need to be at 67 sq. in (No house average)

• Space Allocation top non-conformance for re-audit

• First time re-audit failed– New Policy implemented


Salmonella Eneritidis (SE)

• Producers ARE environmentally sampling• Verify status with producer when

scheduling• Positive SE buildings need to be notified to

Validus– Audit all negative SE buildings first– Audit young flocks to older flocks– SE positive will be completed last based on age

of birds

• This only occurs if a positive SE outbreak


Salmonella Eneritidis (SE) II

• Health Issues– Remember to wash hands before eating– Shower and change of clothing if possible after

leaving the site– Wash clothing

• I became very ill this year during a training site due to SE

• New- SH- Salmonella Heidelberg


UEP Hatchery audit tool


Summary of Hatchery Audits to Date

• Completed 7 hatchery audits annually– ID, IA, TX, VA, IN, GA, MN, PA– Hy-Line International and Brickland Hatchery

• Voluntary audit process• Average audit time is 2-4 hours• No changes moving into 2013


Issues Discovered

• Verify that total scores are adding up on the tool and per section

• Alternative methods– System used only as a practice for “in case of

emergency”


Audit Continual Improvements


Auditor Continual Improvements

• MUST view removing bird(s) from cage• MUST view motion of proper euthanasia

(w/o conducting the practice)• Look for pancaked or trapped birds during

walk-through even if not part of sample• Randomly select several months of records

to view• Rodent Stations

– Random sample for verification of bait– Look for rodents


Auditor Continual Improvements

• Walk every row- Top and bottom decks

• Follow UEP audit guidelines– Some producers feel guidelines are not being

followed

– State that auditors are just walking buildings looking for overstocked cages

• Completely fill out audit tool

• Auditor Ethics– Producer asking to change audit results if

something changed over period of time conducting audits

• ONLY 7 day notification!


Audit Non-conformances

• MUST be very specific with non-conformances– Provide actual amount of space, feeder,

waterers that the site is short

• Meeting– Note individuals at entrance and exit

• Review and have producer SIGN off on any audit tool especially any non-conformances


Facility Count

• Sample selected must represent 50% of caged and 50% cage free for certification


Feeder Space (Cont.)

• Producer needs to provide feeder length– Auditor verifies

• Take total feeder length and divide by # of birds = Allocation– Needs to be greater than 3.0 for one sided– Needs to be greater than 1.5 for two sided

• DO NOT multiple by 2 for two sides of feeder- Incorrect


Other reminders

• You are all Validus AUDITORS- Not Contractors

• Please contact Karla with dates and information regarding the audits

• Notify Validus if any client contacts you directly and not through Validus office

• MUST be notified with any changes to building selection

• Any questions/concerns regarding fees should be addressed directly with Matt


Rotation of Auditors

• Validus ISO policy– Rotate every three years if possible

• Positive feedback from clients regarding rotation

• Client comments were auditors were consist with audit flow

• Met criteria for 2012


Other Poultry Audits


National Chicken Council

• Companies want PAACO trained individuals– Please notify Validus if you are PAACO certified– Provide certificate

• Population for broilers based on current population– NCC provides table for stocking rates based on

weight


National Turkey Federation

• Validus went through a training on their audit tool about 6 years ago

• More interest due to video release on Butterball turkeys

• Need to review the audit tool-website• Like NCC, interested individuals need

PAACO certification training (Sept 2012)• Currently conduct 1 per year


Auditor Safety


Safety

• Wear protective clothing– Mask, coveralls, hairnet, boots, gloves– Ear Protection if provided by client

• Make sure Company provides safe surroundings– Ladders, walkways, etc.

• DO NOT proceed with audit if safety is of concern

• Avoid situations of physical harm• End any audit if the client is confrontational

towards auditor injury


Illness/Injury

• DO NOT conduct audit if ill– Wait 24-48 hours after fever has broke

• Do NOT conduct audit if– Doctor will not allow for physical activity– Not able to complete audit in its entirety

• Re-schedule audit• Notify Validus of any major injury on-site


Technology

• Hand-held pilot project update• Tablets

– Have the ability to capture signatures– Will be moving all auditors to a tablet– Ability to load audits directly in the office

database

• Done for swine audits• Just received changed from UEP for 2013


Food Safety

• Poultry is leading curve due to UEP 5-Star• Farms that were already doing food safety

programs are looking to combine auditors• Food Safety Law making this a bigger item• SQF- Safe Quality Foods


SQF Opportunity

• SQF is the main program that provides an opportunity to cross audit with 5-Star

• Safe Quality Food Institute (owned by FMI)• www.sqfi.com

• Validus is a licensed “Certifying Body” (CB) with SQF

– 2 certified auditors


Auditor Invoices/Expenses

• Need detailed report of audits completed• Billing is based off of your information• Based on day rate• Need expenses and invoices within 2

weeks - delays cause delays with checks• Break out expense reports per client

– Issues with plane tickets for certain clients


Summary

• New processes need to be understood• No tool changes• Enriched facilities will be audited like caged

birds• Slatted flooring is to be calculated as perch• PAACO training is needed for broiler and

turkey audits• Know your surroundings - Think Safety

First• More technology to come

copyright 2010, validus verification services, llc all rights reserved. february 15, 2013 2:00 pm...

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