The Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) has opened registration for its Poultry Welfare Auditor Training Course to be held August 11-13 in Raleigh, N.C. The instruction is being held in cooperation with the Prestage Department of Poultry Science at North Carolina State University.
As the first step in the process of becoming a PAACO-certified poultry welfare auditor, the three-day course features an array of instructors and corporate sponsors.
Although the last day of the PAACO poultry auditor training usually includes visits to hatcheries, farms, and processing plants, due to the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza event in the U.S. poultry industry, most of these visits will not be possible due to poultry company biosecurity restrictions. Course providers are currently working to arrange processing plant visits and possible observation of loading/live haul at a farm. Another alternative may be auditing simulations with video.
“Although current live poultry health concerns in the industry have forced modification of our normal schedule, we are confident that attendees will continue to receive the quality instruction and experience needed to launch them on the path to becoming highly trained and competent PAACO certified poultry welfare auditors,” said PAACO Executive Director Mike Simpson.
More than two dozen industry stakeholders have committed financial support to the endeavor, including Arby’s, Aviagen, Big Dutchman, Butterball, Cal-Maine Foods, Cargill, Cobb-Vantress, Diamond V, Elanco, Farbest Foods, House of Raeford Farms, Jennie-O Turkey Store, Koch Foods, Kraft Foods/Oscar Mayer, Mountaire, Novus, OK Foods, OSI Group, Pilgrim’s, Sanderson Farms, Techno Catch, Tyson, U.S. Poultry & Egg, Walmart, Wayne Farms, West Liberty Foods and Zinpro.
Additionally, many well-known industry professionals will serve as instructors: Dr. Ken Anderson, professor/extension specialist for poultry science, North Carolina State University; Dr. Kate Barger, director of animal welfare, Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Dr. Sacit Bilgili, poultry science professor, graduate science program offices, Auburn University; Dr. Karen Christensen, associate professor in the department of poultry science, University of Arkansas; Dr. Temple Grandin, Grandin Livestock Handling Systems; Dr. Jesse Grimes, poultry science professor, North Carolina State; Dr. Dave Hermes, regional veterinarian for Perdue Farms, Inc.; Matt, Jones, director of audits and assessments, Validus, LLC; Dr. Mike Martin, associate professor of veterinary medicine, North Carolina State; and Dr. Doug Meckes, North Carolina state veterinarian.
Registration deadline is July 20, but class size is limited and enrollment will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Cost for the full course is $795; current PAACO-certified poultry auditors may earn continuing education credit for daily attendance at a fee of $150 per day.
To attain more course information and register, visit www.animalauditor.org, or contact Mike Simpson, executive director, 402-403-0104 or mike@animalauditor.org.