23 May 2011

2 minute read

Europe

Launched on May 1, the special training course has been designed by experts at the LAA and the University of Cumbria, which will also provide official verification of the training when it has been completed at the auction marts.

“Drovers provide an essential service at our markets and we believe this course will give their practical skills official recognition and indicate the great value markets place on animal welfare and the safety of their staff and customers,” said LAA executive secretary Chris Dodds.

Seen as a possible blueprint for training people in other areas of the industry, the LAA course covers health and safety, as well as animal welfare, and it is aimed at all market staff who handle livestock.

It has been designed so it can be delivered either as a PowerPoint presentation, or as a paper-based exercise by a senior member of staff at the market. An official from the University of Cumbria will visit the site afterwards to verify that all the drover staff have received appropriate training before issuing a certificate of competence.

“All livestock markets have to provide evidence of training as part of their ABM inspections and this new initiative will not only provide the necessary training, it will also prove that the auction company and drovers are all working to the best possible standards,” said Birkett Gate, NVQ Assessor Livestock Droving at the University of Cumbria at Penrith, who designed the course.

Pointing out that the NVQ in livestock droving was no longer available because it had been withdrawn by the NPTC, Mr Gate said the LAA course ensured markets could maintain their high safety and training standards.

“This manual provides further evidence of the professional way in which our livestock markets are run and enhances their commitment to animal welfare,” said Mr Dodds.

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