Page 17 of 96
2.5.1 Is it fit to Export? - Guide
The ‘Is it fit to export?’ guide
9
is a concise pocket guide designed to assist in the selection of animals for export. The guide is written in simple language using photographs and diagrams,
taking into account the current Australian Standards for the export of livestock and relevant sections of the LiveCorp Operational and Governance manual.
2.5.2 Other relevant publications
In the period since this report was prepared a range of additional guides and resource materials on animal handling, transport and welfare related issues have been produced by
Livecorp and are available via the Livecorp website
10
.
2.6 Constraints to training
The following constraints should be considered in the design of training program: Getting veterinarians together in one place at one time for face to face training,
especially the small number of in-demand active accredited veterinarians, is difficult. Mandated further training for veterinarians may be resisted unless there were incentives
or rewards either financial or professional. The design of a training program needs to take into account the turnover of active
accredited veterinarians and stockpersons and the large proportion of inactive accredited veterinarians. With active accredited veterinarians and stockpersons being
only a relatively small proportion of the total number accredited, an applicant screening process is necessary to ensure that training is not wasted on persons unlikely to utilise it.
Self-directed training using on-line or workbook packages to achieve even further levels of accreditation would be resisted. Nor are they likely to result in effective or efficient
transfer of information given the nature of the skills and knowledge required to be transferred.
Any notion of having to pay for further training would be strongly resisted. They would probably regard disease investigation training as “nice to have but not essential”
refresher training. Accredited veterinarians would be resentful and reluctant to participate in a training
course on disease investigation if there was any implication that they were not already sufficiently skilled, knowledgeable or experienced. Any training course for veterinarians
would be best pitched as a skills-update, refresher type or advanced training.
2.7 Training options
In the light of the above information, it is recommended that the following training options be considered.
2.7.1 Face to face training workshops
A training program targeting the relatively small number of active accredited
veterinarians and head stockpersons could be developed where they attend a two to three day training workshop specifically dedicated to servicing research and disease data
collection voyages.
9
https:www.livecorp.com.aupublications
10
https:www.livecorp.com.a
Page 18 of 96
Two or three such courses may be required as not all active accredited veterinarians and head stockpersons will be available at the one time.
The courses could be delivered through an agricultural college or university veterinary school.
Continuing professional education points might be awarded to veterinarians as an incentive to participate.
Gribbles Veterinary Pathology have run excellent disease investigation training courses for government and private veterinarians that could be adapted to the needs of the live export
industry.
2.7.2 Handbook of protocols, tips and tools
A handbook on disease investigation and data collection procedures and protocols is being developed separately for the LIV.0252 project and this handbook should be a valuable
training aid and one of a range of training tools for the project. It is intended that this handbook be developed as a broader industry resource and not just for the Liv.0252 project.
2.7.3 Training DVD
A DVD containing narrated movie clips and PowerPoint presentations of procedures and diseases could be produced.
The DVD would serve as refresher training for some and basic training for others and complement the training provided in face to face workshops and the information in reference
handbooks.
The DVD could conveniently and strategically be viewed on board ships by stockpersons, veterinarians and crew to develop a shared understanding of standards and procedures.
There is a Brisbane based company specialising in production of training DVDs that might be well suited to produce a training DVD as one of their producers is an ex cattle
veterinarian with research, training and project management experience and skills.
There are a number of excellent off-the-shelf videos on cattle necropsy techniques available in Australia and from overseas; however, the special conditions operating on cattle vessels
and the necessary protocols warrants the production of a dedicated necropsy and sample collection training video.
2.7.4 Secondment training
