We are currently seeking a dedicated and passionate Animal Welfare Officer to join our team at Kepak Group. As one of the leading food processing companies in the industry, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare throughout our operations. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring that all welfare standards and customer requirements are communicated and implemented during the handling and slaughtering processes. This is a full-time, permanent position based in Athleague, Co. Roscommon.
Animal Welfare Officer
The following area the responsibilities of the Animal Welfare Officer (AWO)
1. It is the responsibility of the Animal Welfare Officer to ensure that all welfare standards and customer welfare requirements are communicated to all personnel dealing with animals (Lairage or slaughter processes).
2. As outlined in the Council Regulation (EC) no 1099/2009, article 17 the AWO shall be under the direct authority of the Food Business Operator (FBO) and shall report directly to them on matters relating to the welfare of animals.
3. The animal welfare officer works on behalf of the FBO as the contact point for the competent authorities, they provide guidance to the personal working on the slaughterhouse and complete welfare checks to ensure the guidance is put into practice.
4. The animal welfare officer must ensure that all standard operator procedures (SOPs) for the slaughterhouse are complied with and must maintain an accurate record of actions taken where necessary. All failures on animal welfare log will outline cause, corrective actions implemented and incident communicated to senior management.
5. The animal welfare officer should have sufficient authority and technical competency to provide relevant guidance to the slaughter line personal.
6. The animal welfare officer is responsible for:
ü Ensuring that the animal welfare policy is communicated to all those involved in lairage or slaughter processes.
ü Ensuring a competent person checks all consignments of animals, that animals that require special care are treated promptly.
ü Ensuring animal welfare monitoring and verification is implemented by a competent person in line with the animal welfare procedure, with records kept.
ü Ensuring that all lairage personnel are suitably trained to demonstrate competence and compassion in handling an animals.
ü Implementing measures that avoid animals being subjected to unnecessary stress, including physical and auditory stress.
ü Ensuring vehicles are suitable for transport i.e. non slip floors, no sharp projections, adequate ventilation etc.
ü The safe unloading of animals to the slaughterhouse.
ü Ensure stocking densities are maintained during transportation and within each pen in both bovine an ovine lairages.
ü The handling and care of animals before they are restrained.
ü Overseeing the restraining for the purpose of stunning or slaughtering.
ü Overseeing the stunning of animals and the effectiveness of stunning.
ü Overseeing the shackling or hoisting of animals.
ü Overseeing the bleeding of animals.
ü Responsible to monitor animals from arrival through to slaughter.
ü Equipment required for stunning and slaughtering is fit for purpose and functioning correctly. Additional back up stunning or slaughtering methods. Ensuring that the equipment used for stunning is calibrated annually.
ü CCTV Monitoring (unloading, movement through the lairages, restraining of animals and stunning to sticking).
ü Monitoring of the stun-stick procedure to ensure compliance with the prescribed procedure. Determining the effectiveness of the stun-stick process by inspecting a percentage of the daily slaughtering capacity before & after sticking/cutting.
ü Capture outcome measures for both bovine and ovine species.
ü Complete a monthly animal welfare internal audit and communicate audit report to senior management.
ü Complete fabrication audits in bovine and ovine lairage.
7. The animal welfare officer must ensure that operations are carried out by personnel with the appropriate level of competency to do so without causing the animal any avoidable pain, distress or suffering and that welfare training must be recognised and approved by the national designated authorities – Teagasc Certificate of Competence and by DAFM.
Requirements
To be successful in this role, you should have a strong commitment to animal welfare and a deep understanding of the procedures and regulations involved. You must possess the necessary technical competency to provide guidance and ensure that all operations are carried out without causing any avoidable pain, distress, or suffering to the animals. In addition, effective communication, teamwork, and a strong work ethic are essential for this role. A Teagasc Certificate of Competence in welfare training is required.Benefits
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