Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for velveting
- Facilities, materials and equipment to be used in velveting are checked to ensure that they are available, serviceable, set up and functioning correctly and will contribute to a safe, hygienic and stress free environment for animals and operators.
- Veterinary supervision is arranged and appropriate drugs, equipment, emergency equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are made ready for use.
- Animals selected for velveting are drafted and restrained according to animal welfare and occupational health and safety requirements.
- Harvest velvet
- Volume of analgesic or anaesthetic drug is determined for each animal and administered under supervision of attending veterinarian.
- Antler is surgically removed under supervision of attending veterinarian and following National Velvet Accreditation Scheme (NVAS) requirements, using hygienic techniques and applying appropriate standards.
- Human and animal emergency procedures are ready for implementation if required.
- Work is conducted according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) procedures.
- Information is collected during harvesting process for annual return/audit.
- Velvet is tagged for identification and cross-referenced to the animal velveted to allow for full trace back.
- Complete harvesting process
- Animal is released into recovery area and monitored closely for adverse reactions, and appropriate action is taken as required.
- Velveting area and equipment are cleaned and waste is disposed of according to organisational and OHS procedures.
- Hazardous substances and used equipment are disposed of according to legislative requirements and codes of practice.
- Equipment is stored, drug usage is recorded and remaining drugs are placed in a secure locked facility.
- In the event of an animal's post-velveting death, industry procedures are followed.