Registration Open for PAACO Poultry Auditor Training Course

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) announced today the opening of registration for its Poultry Welfare Auditor Training Course, set for June 4-6, 2013, at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. 

The first step in the process of becoming a PAACO-certified poultry welfare auditor, the popular 3-day course features an impressive array of instructors and corporate sponsors and offers trainees an opportunity for hands-on experience at broiler, layer or turkey facilities, the organization said. At these sites, they will perform mock audits and see welfare criteria demonstrated in the context of day-to-day operations, before returning to campus to take a written exam over the materials.

More than a dozen industry stakeholders have committed financial support to this endeavor, including Butterball, Cobb, Hybrid Turkeys, Hy-Line, Jennie-O Turkey Store, Koch Foods, Novus, OK Foods, OSI Group, Pacific Vet Group, Pilgrim's, Techno-Catch, Tyson Foods, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and Walmart.

"We're delighted to be able to again offer this important training here in the heart of American poultry production," says PAACO Chairman Dr. Karen Christensen of O.K. Farms, who will also be one of the course instructors. "It is particularly gratifying that such a wide spectrum of industry stakeholders recognize the great reputation we have to advance welfare in both the U.S. and internationally through quality training."

Registration deadline is May 6, but class size is limited and enrollment will be on a first come, first served basis. Cost for the full course is $795; in addition, current PAACO-certified poultry auditors may earn continuing education credit by signing up for a daily registration at a fee of $150 per day.

For more information visit www.animalauditor.org.