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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Identify breeds and types of cattle and describe market requirements
   • Identify major breeds of commonly slaughtered cattle
   • Identify distinguishing features of major breeds
   • Describe market requirements for cattle
2. Identify the main reasons for ante-mortem inspection
   • Explain reasons for ante-mortem inspection
   • Identify regulatory requirements associated with ante-mortem inspection
3. Perform ante-mortem inspection on cattle and/or buffalo
   • Identify and explain procedures and principles of humane handling of cattle and/or buffalo
   • Detect and identify signs of common conditions responsible for abnormalities at ante-mortem
   • Identify procedures for humane destruction
   • Identify procedures for emergency and suspect slaughter
   • Perform ante-mortem inspection on cattle and/or buffalo according to relevant workplace health and safety and regulatory requirements
   • Identify Quality Assurance aspects of ante-mortem inspection
4. Make disposition as a result of inspection and take appropriate action
   • Identify and describe common diseases and conditions responsible for abnormalities in cattle and/or buffalo
   • Segregate suspect stock according to regulatory and workplace requirements
   • Identify signs of emergency or notifiable diseases that could be seen at ante-mortem
   • Describe emergency or notifiable disease procedures as set out in the relevant regulations
5. Identify base anatomical structure systems of cattle or buffalo
   • Identify organs of cattle and/or buffalo
   • Identify and explain lymphatic, circulatory, digestive, urinary, nervous and respiratory systems
   • Identify basic skeletal structure of cattle and/or buffalo
6. Identify the main reasons for post-mortem inspection
   • Identify reasons for post-mortem inspection.
   • Identify regulatory requirements associated with post-mortem inspection.
7. Perform post-mortem inspection of cattle or buffalo
   • Follow procedures for post-mortem inspection
   • Identify and detect abnormalities
   • Perform post-mortem inspection on at least one species (cattle or buffalo) in accordance with regulatory requirements, hygiene and sanitation requirements and workplace health and safety requirements, in a work environment and under normal production conditions
   • Identify Quality Assurance (QA) issues of post-mortem inspection
8. Make disposition
   • Detect and identify common diseases and conditions responsible for abnormalities for at least one species (cattle or buffalo)
   • Identify and explain symptoms of major emergency diseases
9. Treat affected carcase appropriately
   • Treat carcase in accordance with regulatory, hygiene and sanitation, and workplace health and safety requirements
   • Demonstrate anatomical knowledge of carcase in the disposition process
10. Monitor stunning and slaughter of animals
    • Identify requirements for effective stunning and slaughter
    • Ensure animals are stunned and bled according to workplace and regulatory requirements
    • Take corrective action in the event of ineffective stunning or bleeding
11. Describe the procedures followed for retained carcase on the slaughter floor
    • Identify and describe procedures for retained carcase in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements
12. Identify and use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform post-mortem inspection
    • Identify and explain the purpose of the PPE required for post-mortem inspection
    • Use equipment in accordance with QA and workplace requirements
    • Use, maintain and store Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in accordance with workplace health and safety requirements
13. Take pathological and residue samples to assist in determining disposition
    • Identify lesions and tissues necessary for determining dispositions
    • Collect and submit specimens according to workplace procedures
    • Interpret results
    • Retain carcases awaiting results according to workplace procedures

Range Statement

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Performance Evidence

Candidates must perform the ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection of cattle and/or buffalo to Australian Standards and other relevant regulatory requirements in a workplace environment under normal operating conditions.

The candidate must:

perform ante-mortem inspection in accordance with the Australian Standard and where relevant other importing country requirements

describe principles and procedures for humane handling

identify common diseases and conditions found at ante-mortem

describe symptoms of emergency or notifiable diseases

make correct dispositions for the emergency, notifiable and common diseases and conditions found at ante mortem in accordance with the Australian Standard

segregate suspect animals in accordance with the Australian Standard and / or importing country requirements

identify the steps and procedures for humane destruction, emergency and suspect kills

identify the organs, skeletal structure and elements of the lymphatic, circulatory, digestive, urinary, nervous and respiratory systems relevant to meat inspection duties

perform post-mortem inspection in accordance with the Australian Standard and, where relevant, other importing country requirements

identify common diseases and conditions found at post-mortem

describe the symptoms of emergency and notifiable diseases found at post mortem

make correct dispositions for the common, emergency and notifiable diseases and conditions in accordance with the Australian Standard

treat carcases and offal in accordance with the Australian Standard and/or importing country requirements

monitor restraint, stunning and bleeding in order to detect, assess and report animal welfare issues

take and dispatch samples for mandated testing

treat carcases being held for test results in accordance with regulatory or importing country requirements

perform inspection duties in accordance with workplace health and safety requirements

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate a factual, technical, procedural and theoretical knowledge of:

the physiology and anatomy of cattle and/or buffalo

the Australian Standard procedures for the ante and post mortem inspection of cattle and/or buffalo

additional inspection procedures relevant to the plant where assessment of the trainee is taking place

humane and efficient slaughtering techniques including restraint, stunning and bleeding

procedures for retaining carcases

carcase sampling and testing

workplace health and safety hazards and workplace requirements

role of equipment for meeting hygiene and sanitation and workplace requirements

correct technique for incision of parts and organs

procedures for disposal of condemned carcase

procedures for identifying, collecting and submitting specimens

segregation requirements for suspect animals

steps and procedures for humane destruction, emergency and suspect kills

steps in ante-mortem inspection and recognise abnormal conditions

symptoms of common diseases and conditions

symptoms of major emergency or notifiable diseases

regulatory requirements associated with emergency or notifiable diseases

the relevant registration processes and procedures for meat inspectors at their specific plant

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