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Title / Complete pre-slaughter examination of emus and ostriches to be processed for human consumption
Level / 4 / Credits / 8
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: locate and name anatomical features of emus and ostriches and describe the characteristics of a normal healthy bird; demonstrate knowledge of requirements for emu and ostrich handling; move and handle birds in premises stockyards and restrain birds for close examination and apply identification tags; list and describe diseases and defects seen during examination of emus and ostriches; and detect and diagnose diseases and defects in emus and ostriches and make judgements and apply dispositions to examined animals.
Classification / Animal Product Examination Services > Animal Product Examination - Species Specific
Available grade / Achieved
Entry information
Critical health and safety prerequisites / Unit 13474, Describe and carry out generic pre-slaughter examination duties; and Unit 13492, Examine viscera and carcasses of emus and ostriches; or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
Explanatory notes
1Legislation
Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Animal Products Act 1999, Animal Welfare Act 1999 and the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
2Resource documents can be accessed on the website of New Zealand Food Safety Authority(NZFSA) at and include but are not limited to NZFSA (New Zealand Standards Group) Industry Standard 4 and relevant Notices.
3Definitions
Flight distance is a term used in stock handling that indicates how close the birds allow the handler to come before they take to flight.
Balance lines are terms used in stock handling that refer to two imaginary lines, one of which passes through the line of the animal’s shoulders and the second runs lengthways down the backbone. By moving in relation to these lines the handler can turn the birds in a desired direction.
Dispositions refers to the action of ensuring that examined animal material or animal product that has abnormalities is managed in accordance with legislative requirements.
4Diseases requiring report in this unit standard are those advised by Biosecurity New Zealand.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Locate and name anatomical features of emus and ostriches and describe the characteristics of a normal healthy bird.
Evidence requirements
1.1Anatomical features are located and named.
Rangebeak, ears, eyes, sinus openings, neck, back, wings, tail, anus, leg joints, feet.
1.2Characteristics of a normal healthy bird are described.
Rangealert appearance, eyes clear, sinus openings and mouth free of excess mucus, feathers bright, movements prompt and unencumbered, no abnormal swellings.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of requirements for emu and ostrich handling.
Evidence requirements
2.1Stockyard construction and other features that inhibit bird handling and movement are described.
Rangedead ends in races, right angle corners, humans in path of moving birds, flapping clothing or sacking, sudden changes in light, changes in underfoot surfaces, unusual smells, loud noises.
2.2Techniques for moving emus and ostriches in stockyards are described.
Rangeuse of rattles and voice; use of flight distance, use of balance lines.
2.3Behaviour characteristics are described for types of emus and ostriches.
Rangeyoung bird behaviour, male bird behaviour, female bird behaviour, moving bird behaviour, sick bird behaviour.
2.4Techniques are demonstrated that enhance operator safety in stockyards.
Rangesafety hazards identified and corrected, use of catwalks where provided, staying alert to birds moving outside range of operator vision, wearing of appropriate apparel including footwear, use of correct techniques for restraining and hooding birds, knowledge of emergency procedures for escaping from aggressive birds.
Outcome 3
Move and handle birds in premises stockyards and restrain birds for close examination and apply identification tags.
Evidence requirements
3.1Birds are moved with minimum stress and least risk of injury to birds and people.
3.2Bird behaviour is anticipated and controlled.
3.3Birds are restrained securely and hooded where necessary without injury or undue risk of injury to birds, handler or others.
3.4Birds are closely examined in accordance with pre-slaughter examination procedures.
3.5Equipment is prepared and used in accordance with pre-slaughter examination procedures and manufacturers' guidelines.
3.6Tags are applied in accordance with pre-slaughter procedures.
Outcome 4
List and describe diseases and defects seen during examination of emus and ostriches.
Rangelameness, traumatic injuries, septic wounds, transit tetany.
Evidence requirements
4.1Diseases seen during examination of emus and ostriches are listed.
4.2Symptoms and defects of diseases seen during examination are described.
Outcome 5
Detect and diagnose diseases and defects in emus and ostriches and make judgements and apply dispositions to examined animals.
Evidence requirements
5.1Diseases and defects of emus and ostriches are detected and diagnosed during examination.
5.2Judgements are made according to pre-slaughter examination findings and dispositions are applied to examined birds following procedures in NZFSA (New Zealand Standards Group) Industry Standard 4.
Replacement information / This unit standard, unit standard 13475, unit standard 13476, unit standard 13477, unit standard 13478, unit standard 13479, unit standard 13480, unit standard 24508, and unit standard 27356 have been replaced by 27753.This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 23 April 1998 / 31 December 2014
Review / 2 / 23 June 2000 / 31 December 2014
Revision / 3 / 20 August 2001 / 31 December 2014
Rollover and Revision / 4 / 20 June 2006 / 31 December 2014
Review / 5 / 25 February 2008 / 31 December 2014
Revision / 6 / 19 May 2008 / 31 December 2014
Review / 7 / 19 July 2012 / 31 December 2014
Reinstatement / 8 / 20 March 2015 / 31 December 2017
Rollover / 9 / 17 September 2015 / 31 December 2019
Rollover / 10 / 21 April 2016 / 31 December 2019
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0033
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101558 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018 / / New Zealand Qualifications Aut