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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for velveting
   • Check facilities, materials and equipment are available, serviceable and functioning and contribute to a safe, hygienic and stress free environment for animals and operators
   • Arrange veterinary supervision and drugs, equipment, emergency equipment and personal protective equipment are ready for use
   • Draft and restrain animals selected for velveting according to animal welfare and work health and safety policies
2. Harvest velvet
   • Determine volume of analgesic or anaesthetic drug for each animal and administer under supervision of attending veterinarian
   • Remove antler using hygienic techniques and appropriate standards
   • Ensure human and animal emergency procedures are ready for implementation
   • Collect information during harvesting process for annual return/audit
   • Tag velvet for identification using NVAS tags or NVAS Statutory Declaration Forms, and cross-reference to the animal velveted to allow for full trace back
3. Complete harvesting process
   • Release animal into recovery area and monitor for adverse reactions and take appropriate action as required
   • Clean velveting area and equipment and dispose of waste in line with enterprise biosecurity and environmental policies
   • Dispose of hazardous substances and used equipment according to legislative requirements and codes of practice
   • Store equipment, record drug usage and place remaining drugs in a secure facility
   • Follow industry procedures in the event of post-velveting death

Range Statement

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Performance Evidence

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

safely handle and restrain deer including dealing with aggressive or difficult animals

administer drugs to deer under supervision of a registered veterinarian

velvet unassisted a minimum of three deer under supervision of a registered veterinarian

comply with the National Velvet Accreditation Scheme (NVAS) and quality assurance program of the Deer Industry Association of Australia (DIAA)

manage deer effectively before, during and after velveting

implement emergency response procedures when required

develop and maintain effective working relationships with a range of organisations operating in the deer industry

communicate with work team using industry standard terminology

implement enterprise work health and safety, biosecurity and animal welfare policies

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

animal welfare legislation and issues

definitions of, and requirements with respect to, veterinary supervision and legal responsibilities of deer producers and veterinarians

drug legislation relating to deer velvet harvesting

food safety requirements relating to drug residues and withholding periods, and the hygienic handling of velvet

management of deer before and after velveting

surgical velveting procedures

NVAS and quality assurance program of the Deer Industry Association of Australia(DIAA)

enterprise work health and safety, biosecurity and animal welfare policies

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