BRITISH LION is introducing a new requirement for producers to hold and complete a training passport as part of their membership of the scheme.
The project has been several years in development and will become part of the code in January next year.
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It was inspired by a similar scheme operated by the poultrymeat sector.
The project is managed by a working group led by leading egg industry consultant Jeff Vergerson and made up of representatives from the pullet rearing, pullet hatchery, egg production and education sectors.
The training standard includes topics such as welfare, biosecurity and food hygiene, as well as health and safety and manual handling.
Approval
Lion Training Passport training can be provided by either an in-house training team or by a training provider.
In both cases, the training being delivered and the tutors need to be approved.
The course approval period is initially five years, after which the course will require re-approval.
The passport is portable if an employee moves companies, and has a £20 (plus VAT) fee per person per year.
British Egg Industry Council chairman Andrew Joret said: “We are continually developing the Lion Code to ensure the highest standards, and the compulsory requirement for Lion registered sites to complete the Lion Training Passport as part of their membership is another positive step towards that.”
More information can be found on the training scheme website.