Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to detect abnormalities and diseases in one or more of the major livestock species (cattle, sheep and pigs) prior to slaughter. The skills component of this unit will be assessed for ante-mortem inspection of a specific species for which competency is demonstrated in the workplace and the outcome and the species will be recorded appropriately on the assessment sheet.
This unit is applicable to meat inspectors and/or stock handlers responsible for ante-mortem inspection.
All work should be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, customer requirements and product specifications.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work including limited responsibility for the work of others. They provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable problems.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
This unit must be delivered and assessed in the context of Australian meat processing standards and regulations.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element |
1. Identify types of stock and market requirements of food animals commonly slaughtered for meat | 1.1 Identify major breeds of commonly slaughtered domestic animals 1.2 Identify distinguishing features of major breeds 1.3 Identify market requirements of commonly slaughtered domestic animals |
2. Identify the main reasons for ante-mortem inspection | 2.1 Explain reasons for ante-mortem inspection 2.2 Identify regulatory requirements associated with ante-mortem inspection |
3. Perform ante-mortem inspection on live animals | 3.1 Identify and explain procedures and principles of humane handling of animals 3.2 Detect and identify signs of common conditions responsible for abnormalities at ante-mortem 3.3 Identify procedures for humane destruction 3.4 Identify procedures for emergency and suspect slaughter 3.5 Perform ante-mortem inspection on at least one species according to relevant workplace health and safety and regulatory requirements 3.6 Identify Quality Assurance aspects of ante-mortem inspection |
4. Identify and isolate animals requiring testing for residue | 4.1 Explain reasons for residue testing 4.2 Follow procedures for identifying and isolating animals for testing |
5. Make disposition as a result of inspection and take appropriate action | 5.1 Detect, identify and document common diseases and conditions responsible for abnormalities on at least one species 5.2 Segregate suspect stock according to regulatory and workplace requirements 5.3 Identify signs of emergency or notifiable diseases 5.4 Follow emergency or notifiable disease procedures in accordance with regulatory requirements |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must perform ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection to Australian Standards and other relevant regulatory requirements in a workplace environment under normal operating conditions.
The candidate must:
estimate size of stock pens
estimate number and density of stock in a pen
identify the common breeds of stock processed
explain relevant animal identification systems that use brands, tags, tattoos and electronic identification devices
identify common diseases and conditions in the species slaughtered at the workplace
describe appropriate dispositions for common diseases and conditions in the species slaughtered at the workplace
identify major emergency or notifiable diseases
demonstrate procedures for humane handling of livestock
perform ante-mortem inspection to Australian Standards and other relevant regulatory requirements on at least one major domestic food species in a workplace environment under normal operating conditions
identify suspect animals that may be suffering from an emergency and notifiable disease on ante-mortem examination according to Australian Standards
make disposition according to workplace and regulatory requirements
report notifiable diseases promptly and accurately according to regulatory requirements
apply communication skills relevant to work instructions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including written and verbal reporting, communicating with other staff and regulatory authorities, interpreting and applying written guidelines
perform tasks to workplace requirements
work cooperatively with company stock handlers to ensure smooth flow of stock.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate a factual, technical, procedural and theoretical knowledge of:
regulatory requirements for suspect stock, hygiene and sanitation standards, and workplace standards associated with ante-mortem inspection
segregation requirements for suspect animals
sources of information to keep up-to-date with current theories or findings
steps and procedures for emergency and suspect kill
steps and procedures for humane destruction
steps in ante-mortem inspection and recognise abnormal conditions
symptoms of common diseases and conditions found at ante mortem
symptoms of major emergency/notifiable diseases (including Johne's Disease (JD))
principles and procedures for humane handling of livestock
regulatory requirements associated with emergency/notifiable diseases
steps to be taken to notify of suspect emergency or notifiable disease.
Assessment Conditions
Competency in the practical aspects of this unit must be assessed under normal production conditions.
Assessment must include demonstration of competency in an operating abattoir. Assessment of the diagnosis of the less common conditions can be undertaken by simulation.
Candidates must be able to perform ante-mortem inspection on at least one species.
The identification of diseases and conditions in other species can be undertaken in a simulated situation utilising samples and photographs.
As a minimum, the following three forms of assessment must be used:
quiz of underpinning knowledge
workplace demonstration
workplace referee or third-party report of performance over time
Assessors must satisfy the current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.