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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Gather information for a stock health program
   • Interpret and review stock health management plan and stock production, and confirm objectives with senior personnel
   • Identify locally prevalent health problems and note potential exotic pests, predators and diseases, especially those with significant economic impact
   • Investigate current industry husbandry practices that prevent and control health problems
2. Develop health program for cultured or held stock
   • Select control measures that aim to prevent the introduction of pests, predators and diseases to the facility
   • Select control measures that protect filter feeding stock from contamination or other stock from pests, predators or diseases
   • Develop routines for health treatment of stock according to current veterinary principles
   • Develop a yearly calendar of health management operations according to overall stock production program and stock health management plans
   • Assess options for mechanisation or automation of process or activity, including the use of new or emerging technology and, if required, specialised contract services
   • Make recommendations to senior personnel based on research and/or consultation
3. Implement a stock health program
   • Communicate stock health program and establish roles and responsibilities to all involved
   • Establish and communicate workplace procedures for the use of therapeutic chemicals and biological agents that ensure personal safety and environmental protection to staff
   • Monitor stock health program for effectiveness, and modify accordingly to meet program objectives
   • Meet legal requirements and regulations relating to stock health management

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has developed and implemented a stock health program, including:

researched and reported to management on treatment or prevention options in consideration of economic, regulatory, environmental and safety factors

established control measures and workplace plans and procedures covering all aspects of stock health

communicated details of the stock health program to staff

monitored effectiveness and legal requirements of stock health program and activities.

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Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

purpose of stock health programs

areas of vulnerability for cultured or held stock to pests, predators and diseases

welfare requirements of cultured or held stock

ecology and behaviour of:

pests and predators

disease agents

species

key requirements of legislation and regulations relating to:

animal welfare and health care

use of chemicals and other disease treatments or control methods

biosecurity and food safety related to stock health

interaction between stock, the environment and disease agents in the development and treatment or control of disease

costs of chemicals and other disease treatment or control methods

workplace procedures used for disease control and prevention in cultured or held stock

processes and technology used to develop and monitor operation plans and workplace procedures.

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