March 2017

Ethical Free Range Chicken Standard

Contents.

Overview of standards.

• Introduction

Ethical Commitment.

• UN Global Compact

Caring for our Chicken

• Sourcing of chicks

• Brooding and management of chicks.

• Antibiotics

• Feed,

• Water.

• Environment and housing.

• Shed

• Temperature

• Litter

• Lighting

• Environmental enrichment

• Range facility

• Stocking Density

• Biosecurity

Caring for the Environment

• Farming

• Recycling

• Energy generation

• Waste water

• By-products

• Our neighbor’s

• Natural Resource Management (Natural Capital Accounting)

Caring for our People

• Global Compact

• Fair work compliance

• Contract growers

• Foreign worker’s

• Training

Overview.

Why we created our own standard? The Tasmania Food Company aims to provide ethical food to everyone. It’s chicken meat division, Nichols

Poultry, aim to deliver on this vision through the transparent care and production of ethical chicken.

We assessed many other standards to see if they fitted our values and goals. But while many of them

contributed to our thinking, none captured all what we require in one standard. We want to bring together

our commitments on animal welfare, environment and sustainable development into one standard. So, we

created our own Standard.

We believe our ethical free range chicken is more flavoursome. Our hope is that our discerning customers

grow in number to create a demand for a market for ethical forms of agricultural chicken meat products.

As part of our commitment, we are making the standard and our audits available to our customers. We’re just

excessively demanding of ourselves but we don’t think we’ll always get it right. But we can commit to always

trying our hardest and being willing to learn from our mistakes, improve our practices and be honest about it.

We want our customers to be part of this process. Our first step is developing our own standard then we will

try to live by. Our second step will be taking feedback from our stakeholders, customers, regulators and

industry specialists to ensure that we’re meeting and stretching expectations.

At the back of the standard you’ll see the view of our comparison between the existing industry standards and

our standard. Please email us to provide us feedback: admin@tasfoods.com.au

Our Ethical Commitment

The other standards we respect and conform with Nichols Poultry complies with the RSPCA Free Range Standard. Many of the auditable points of this standard are taken from the “RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme”. We have also added several of our own initiatives. Nichols Poultry also reviewed and considered State and statutory requirements as well as guidelines or Codes

of Practice:

• Australian Model Code of Practice for the welfare of Animals – Poultry.

• Australian Standards and Guidelines for the Welfare of Animals – Land Transport of Livestock.

• National Biosecurity Manual – Poultry production.

• Ross Growers manual.

• RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme Standards – Meat Chickens. May 2013

• Coles Food Manufacturing Supplier Requirements. February 2014

TasFoods wants to establish a value system and ethical approach across the chain for doing business, we

believe the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact establish the bench mark for these values. This means

operating in ways that meet fundamental responsibilities in the areas of human rights, labour, environmental

and anti-corruption. In addition to the Global Compact TasFoods has developed and documented its own

Ethical Policy that outlines the following components;

1) Ethical Employment

a) Right to work

b) Freedom of association

c) Child labour

d) Working hours

e) Regular employment

f) Wages

2) Business Integrity

3) Labour Providers

a) Sub-contracting integrity

The Standard.

Caring for our Chickens

1. Sourcing of chicks.

The chickens grown within the Ethical Free Range System (EFRS) are initially brooded and grown within the

standard RSPCA approved system. When birds reach 18 - 24 days of age they are caught and transferred to

the EFRS sheds that allow for small colonies and for easy access to the free range facility.

In most cases the chickens that are caught for transfer are birds that will be thinned out from conventional

sheds to allow for the remaining flocks in both the standard and the EFRS sheds to achieve the optimal

stocking density as the birds grow and mature.

Records of chicken growing on primary facility and transfer.

1.1. A record of the hatchery and number placed within the shed.

1.2. A record of the number collected for transfer to the EFRS system.

1.3. A record of the shed that the birds are transferred to and the capacity potential of the shed that

these birds are placed into.

1.4. A record of any dead or injured birds as a result of the catch and transfer process.

1.5. Date and time of transfer.

1.6. Who was responsible for the collection and transfer of birds?

2. Brooding and management of chicks Chickens destined for the EFRS system are brooded within a current RSPCA compliant facility. All birds are

free of antibiotics used in human medicine.

3. Antibiotics In order to secure the chickens’ wellbeing, RSPCA standards have been adopted for the

barn-raised poultry. For the free-range chickens Nichols Poultry and TasFoods are going

beyond the recommended regulations of the Humane Choice standard, which includes

raising the chickens in small colonies with mobile and comfortable housing as well as access

to outdoors at all times.

Whilst there are many benefits of free range for the welfare of chickens and the reduction of

the use of antibiotics, there are issues that arise. Free range chickens are prone to suffer

enteritis, which is inflammation of the intestine accompanied by diarrhea caused by a bacteria

called clostridium. This bacterial enteritis, known as necrotic enteritis (NE), will make birds

very sick and will kill large numbers unless preventative action is taken. All chickens are also

prone to coccidiosis which is a parasitic disease of the intestinal tract that spreads by contact

with infected faeces or ingestion of infected tissue. Since the 1960s antibiotics have been

used in the feed to prevent NE and coccidiosis. Nichols Poultry uses a type of antibiotic in

feed to prevent these diseases as it both controls the parasite and has some antibiotic effect

which helps in controlling NE. The type we use, an ionophore, is not considered important

to human medicine by the World Health Organisation. Although the ionophore is a weak

antibiotic it is not implicated in the major problem of antibiotic resistant bacteria, nor with

antibiotic residues in the meat.

Many producers claim to rear their birds antibiotic free whilst using ionophores. We want to

be transparent about the issues and how we came to our conclusion that we believe using

ionophores in our free range product is a responsible action that we take with the help of our

veterinarian. We also are looking for other alternatives to protect the health and welfare of

the bird. Actions we take are to have healthy birds and a clean farming environment. We do

not use any antibiotics used in human medicine and specifically no bacitracin which is

available for use in Australia. Bacitracin is of major concern to the authorities and

supermarkets and is the main focus of removing antibiotic from chicken feed.

During processing, the meat gets air-chilled and not spin-chilled in chlorinated water, which

is often a standard procedure in the chicken industry. Nichols Poultry’s and TasFoods’

approach guarantees high quality superior tasting meat without any traces of harmful

chemicals. Third-party experts check the farming practices on a regular basis.

4. Food and water. EFRS sheds will be equipped with sufficient feeders to allow birds to eat and drink in a comfortable manner.

A paddock silo is to be located adjacent to a suitable filling area that trucks can access to blow in bulk feed

from the feed mill.

4.1. Feed and water systems are to be designed and placed within the shed to ensure even access by

birds.

4.2. Feeders and watering equipment is checked daily to ensure functionality and free flow of food and

water.

4.3. Unthrifty birds that are not able to reach the feed or water are to be euthanised immediately.

! Transparency is very important to us and we think peoples’ concerns about animal welfare and

food traceability should be addressed. For the biosecurity of our hatcheries, the wellbeing of our

chickens and consumers, we believed this is the best approach.

4.4. Feed must be available in sufficient quantity to meet the bird’s requirements. The condition of birds

is checked daily to ensure good health and management.

4.5. Birds must have unrestricted feed unless under veterinary advice or during final pre-catch starve

out, generally 6-8 hours.

Water

4.6. Water systems need to be maintained to ensure uninterrupted supply to sheds.

4.7. Provision of a back-up water supply may be required in the event of frost or damage to the supply

lines due to the need for pipes to be above ground.

4.8. Non-mains water must be tested annually for compliance with potable water as defined by your

local environmental health officer.

4.9. Nipple drinkers are to be provided at the rate of 1 nipple per 10 chickens.

4.10. Chickens must not have to travel more than 4 meters to access water.

4.11. Growers must be able to demonstrate a suitable way of monitoring water consumption and to detect

peaks or troughs in demand that might be an early warning sign of stress or disease onset.

5. Animal Environment and housing. The EFRS concept is all about providing the most desirable environment for the chicken to be raised in,

chickens enjoy the safety and comfort of a covered area but also ability to range freely in an area of vegetation

that allows the bird to display its natural instinct. The housing design and ready access to range is such that

the bird is encouraged to range rather than discouraged.

The building that EFRS birds are raised in can be either a mobile or static structure, however the maximum

capacity of each flock is not permitted to exceed 1500 and birds are encouraged to make use of the extensive

range area that is limited to 4500 birds per Hectare, a figure that is widely seen as the most appropriate for

range reared poultry.

These standards refer to birds that are over 18- 21 days of age and have been reared in accordance with a

standard RSPCA approved farming scheme system of management.

Birds are expected to have access to range for the duration of day light hours, a sensible approach is to limit

access in period of inclement weather, however these periods of exclusion are only permitted after approval

of Nichols Poultry.

An active approach to control of predators is to be implemented at each site.

Shed facility

5.1. Mobile sheds are to be situated in such a way as to avoid excessive ground water ingress.

5.2. Floors in all sheds are to managed to ensure a dry and friable litter cover.

5.3. Natural, manually controlled ventilations sheds are to be managed in such a way as to ensure that

bird welfare is not compromised by heat or cold events.

5.4. A effective pest control program must documented and regular checks performed by suitably

trained personnel.

5.5. Maximum stocking rate 26kg per m2 of floor space.

Temperatures

5.6. Temperatures are to be recorded daily (minimum & maximum indoors).

5.7. Temperatures are to be within a range that is suitable for chicken production, steps are to be taken

to ensure the comfort and welfare of the bird is not compromised in extreme weather events.

This will mean that in the Free-Range sheds we will control, to the best of our ability, the conditions within each shed by:

! It has been shown that smaller sheds allow birds better chance to access range, a maximum

shed of 1500 and a maximum distance from a pop hole of 6 meters has proven to enable the most

number of birds to access the range facility.

In hot weather 1. Opening pop-holes, (free range doors) 2. Opening side vents 3. Opening entry roller doors

In cold weather

1. Closing entry doors 2. Closing side vents 3. Closing 50% of the pop-holes (to minimise cross draft while still maintaining a free-range bird 4. In extreme events closing 100% of the pop-holes (technically creating a non-free range shed but is for the best interest of the bird’s welfare) 5. To manage a winter cold snap. We may need to install independent gas brooders to the sheds if we find conditions dictate.

We will use skilful stockman ship to maintain these conditions rather than the computers that control a more conventional shed.

Litter

5.8. Litter material must be of a good quality and be dry and friable.

5.9. A minimum of 50 mm of litter must cover the floors at all times.

5.10. Dry shavings or chopped straw are the most suitable material. Alternative litter material can be used

with permission from Nichols Poultry.

5.11. Where reuse of litter occurs any wet material must be removed and an additional 25 mm of clean dry

litter must be added to the building prior to bird placement.

5.12. A maximum of 2 batches can be raised on each litter bed before cleanout is required.

5.13. Litter quality is monitored between batches to ensure pathogens are not transferred.

Lighting

5.14. The shed is to be designed in such a way as to ensure that when the sun is up and partial shading by

cloud is observed the light intensity at bird head height level does not fall below 10 lux.

5.15. Dawn and dusk is to be provided by the natural rise and fall of the sun, no artificial lighting is to be

provided for this action.

5.16. Approximately 25% of the wall area is to be made of a transparent or translucent material for the

provision of natural light.

! It is recognised that naturally lit sheds are difficult to manage light levels, the provision of

25% of side walls being transparent or translucent has been shown to give the best chance to

ensure the sheds are suitably lit.

!. Temperature range is going to be dictated by the climatic conditions of the day. That is the

joy of free range! Ideal environment for a broiler is 21 degrees Celsius and 65% R.H. At these conditions chickens are in what is known as the thermoneutral zone, conditions whereupon the bird neither burns energy to stay warm or is put off feed due to the additional heat the bird will feel while metabolising.

It should be noted that due to Tasmania’s climate the birds should will not experience the wild heat waves of the mainland, therefore we are the logical state in which to produce the ethical free range chickens for the nation.

Environmental enrichment

5.17. Perching must be provided at a minimum of 6 meters per 1000 birds.

5.18. Manipulable material or pecking objects are to be provided inside the housing.

Range management

5.19. Shade and cover on the range area is to be provided at the rate of 8M2 per 1000 birds.

5.20. Pop hole protection, either verandah or a netted area is to be provided to encourage birds to exit the

building and to offer protection from raptors entering the sheds.

5.21. All birds are to have access to range from 24 days of age unless by permission from Nichols Poultry

for reasons relating to extreme weather or veterinary advice.

5.22. The closure of pop holes on the windward side of the building is encouraged when wind speeds and

bird comfort show migration of birds away from the cold

5.23. Range is to be provided at the rate of 4500 per Ha of accessible land.

5.24. Pop holes are to be provided at the rate of at least 30% of each side wall.

5.25. No bird is to be more than 6 meters away from a pop hole when within a shed.

5.26. Pop holes must be of a size and height that encourages birds to access.

5.27. A record of days and times of access to range is to be maintained.

5.28. Range area must be managed to ensure good cover of vegetative material.

5.29. Active systems must be in place to discourage predators, this could be a range of options, covered

areas and provision of a refuge area, active control of feral cats and or dogs, and even the use of

Maremma guard dogs to help prevent predators and unwanted migratory birds from sharing the range

facility.

! The provision of perching and manipulable material (with the correct lighting provisions)

allows the birds to interact with the environment and to be more active which is known to

reduce leg weaknesses and foot pad lesions.

! Farmers are encouraged to provide environmentally friendly methods of pest control, in

some cases netting the range may be required to discourage predators. The use of Maremma

dogs is just one possible solution. The provision of shelter within the range area provides both

protection from weather and predators, both of these desirable outcomes result in improve

range utilization.

6. Stocking density. The EFRS system is designed to ensure the birds have the most comfortable and least stressed environment

with which to live. Both shed space and range area are controlled by this standard.

6.1. Stocking rates within the building must not exceed 26 kg per M2 when birds are at maximum bird

weight.

6.2. Range area must not exceed 4500 birds per Ha.

6.3. No Colony is to exceed 1500 birds.

7. Biosecurity We will comply with the National Biosecurity Manual for Poultry Production, in addition we will,

6.1 Ensure free range sheds are not near water ways where chickens are exposed to water fowl, a

distance of at least 100m should be observed.

6.2 Ensure visitors and contractors to the site comply with all required biosecurity measures.

8. Transparency

Our free-range system is available for scrutiny from audit and live footage will be streamed through to our

website each day from May 2017 onwards as part of our commitment to transparency of operations

7.1 The system will be internally audited at least annually to ensure compliance with this standard.

7.2 Sheds are available to be audited by third party organisations e.g. RSPCA, DPIWE etc.

9. Our Environment We aim to manage our natural capital by accounting for the availability of clean water, investing in biosecurity

and valuing soil conservation. We realise that healthy ecosystems underpin sustainable and resilient

communities.

6.1 Natural capital management is built into TasFoods business strategy, this means factoring in

biodiversity, ecosystem impact and dependency.

! Anecdotal evidence shows that smaller flock sizes reduce mortality and allow birds to range

more freely.

! Tasmania offers distinct advantages regarding our disease-free status, this provides birds

with stronger immune strength. However, this is not something we take for granted and must

continually challenge our biosecurity measures to ensure we maintain this advantage.

6.2 Farming practices to eliminate the use of pesticides and herbicides on pastures where EFRS occur,

maintain pasture cover and reduce pooling of water to prevent erosion in Free Range areas.

6.3 Recycling, across the paddock to plate enterprise recycling will be considered as a first option,

6.4 Processing operations will ensure cardboard and packaging is recycled and waste to landfill reduced.

6.5 Renewable energy generation will be considered and encouraged.

6.6 Waste water generated from processing must be treated and filtered in such a way as it is suitable for

re-use. Treatment ponds, and filtering enabling the water to be suitable for irrigation is considered

effective. All waste water must stay within the boundaries of the property and not generate excessive

odour.

6.7 All by-products generated from the processing and EFRS are to be managed to reduce land fill,

further processing and utilization must be considered and implemented where ever practical.

6.8 The EFRS must consider neighbor’s and the community, birds must be effectively contained on the

premises, farming and processing practices must not produce excessive noise or odour.

6.9 At all times the EFRS will comply with the EPN for the property and work with the Environmental

Regulators to develop systems reflecting industry best practice.

6.10 All spent litter is used as fertilizer on farm land once sufficiently composted and pathogens from

litter destroyed by composting process.

10. Our People Our people are central to the success and compliance of EFRS, they are trained to ensure competency and

rewarded for effort.

7.1 The Ten Principals of the UN Global Compact are central to the way we do business;

i) Support & respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.

ii) Ensure we are not complicit in human rights abuse.

iii) Uphold freedom of association.

iv) Zero forced and compulsory labour.

v) Abolition of child labour.

vi) Elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

vii) Support precautionary approach to environmental challenges.

viii) Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.

ix) Encourage and develop environmentally friendly technologies

x) Work against corruption in all forms, including extortion and bribery.

7.2 Fair work compliance, including legal pay and legal hours for all staff

7.3 Ethical treatment of staff, this commitment include registration with SEDEX ensuring continuous

improvement and compliance.

7.4 Contact growers are treated fairly and comply with minimum wages for all their staff.

7.5 Foreign workers’ rights are respected, and legal requirements met.

! Nichols Poultry has always considered the impact that its operations have on the

environment, we care for our wetland areas and native wildlife habitat.

7.6 Working conditions achieve acceptable and legal requirements.

7.7 We are a significant employer in the local community as aim to employ local residents whenever possible.

! Our aim is to be an employer of choice, to recruit, train and maintain a highly skilled and

engaged team.

Appendix 1. Comparison of Standards

Chicken meat is sold as: Conventional Free Range or Outdoor

Systems Certified Organic

Nichols Ethical Free Range

Kept in cages No No No No

Housed in large barns Yes Yes Yes Yes

Access to outdoor forage areas

during daytime

No Yes. Required once chicks are

adequately feathered Yes. Required once chicks are

adequately feathered

Yes. Access 24 hours day once fully feathered

Stocking Density Maximum (inside the barns)

28-40kg/m2 depending on the standard of the ventilation

provided in barns

16-34kg/m2 depending on the standard of the ventilation

provided in barns 25kg/m2

26kg/m2

Age of birds at harvest 35 – 55 days 35 – 55 days 65 – 80 days 35 – 45 days

Given growth hormones No No No No

May be given antibiotics for prophylactic and/or therapeutic purposes

Yes

Depends on accreditation program (under some

standards, if antibiotics are required, meat may no longer be

sold as free range)

No (if antibiotics are required, can no longer be sold as

organic)

No

Feed consists mainly of grains Yes Yes Yes Yes

Feed may contain supplements such as vitamins and amino acids

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Feed has to come from organic production (no chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides used)

No No Yes

No

Use of GM products in feed

Yes, to a limited extent (soy meal is not available in sufficient

quantities from local sources and imported soy meal may contain

GM grain)

Yes, to a limited extent (soy meal is not available in sufficient

quantities from local sources and imported soy meal may contain

GM grain)

No

Yes, to a limited extent (soy meal is not available

in sufficient quantities from local sources and imported soy meal may

contain GM grain)

Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals applies

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Controls in place to ensure adherence to these standards

Most chickens are grown under contract to processors and the farms are supervised by the

processor’s farming manager and vet

Monitored by organisations that accredit farms such as FREPA and RSPCA; comment under

“Conventional” also applies here

Accreditation provided by organization approved by the

Australian Quarantine Inspection Service;

independently audited

Audited against Nichols Free Range Standard, RSPCA Approved

Farming Scheme Standard – Meat

Chickens