A certification program for the training of poultry transportation and catch crews in methods of biosecurity, disease recognition, emergency planning, and the safe and humane handling of birds before, during and after transport, according to Hoosier Ag Today.

The certification involves transportation and handling of several species including day-old poultry, breeders, pullets, spent fowl, broilers and turkeys.

A scientific team of Penn State, USDA, as well as industry specialists will conduct the training and certification. PHTQA is the first third party certification of this type to cover several poultry species. The certification programme is viewed as being an important training and marketing tool for the poultry industry. Multiple training sessions will be held in 2011.