Organised by MVP Training, a subsidiary of Minster Veterinary Practice based in Yorkshire, Sutton Bonnington and Hereford, and part-funded by the RDPE Landskills Programme for England, the course provided training in best practice for welfare during catching and handling, restraint and culling of sick and injured birds.

Practical instruction included the use of mechanical percussive devices designed for humane on-farm culling of poultry, as an alternative to neck dislocation which will be restricted from January 2013 under the European ‘Council Regulation No.1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing’.

The course was attended by managers and stockmen from both breeder and grower operations of Cherry Valley Farms.

MVP Training was established by Minster Veterinary Practice to research and deliver training to meet the needs of practice clients. Funding was secured from the RDPE Landskills Programme for England to deliver training to the UK poultry sector in the Yorkshire/Humberside, East Midlands and West Midlands regions.

In collaboration with the HSA, which provides a wide range of training services in livestock handling and welfare, it is hoped to extend future training to other poultry sectors and to groups such as smallholders.