Provision of Poultry Culling Services Framework Agreement

APHA is an Executive Agency of Defra and delivers the Animal Health and Welfare policies of the Defra, Scottish Government and Welsh Government across Great Britain (GB). One of its principal functions is the safeguarding of animal health and welfare and public health, which in turn supports economic growth and trade.<br/><br/>APHA has a critical role in the control and eradication of endemic and exotic notifiable and reportable diseases including responding to Outbreaks and Incidents, for example Notifiable Avian Disease. APHA and other GB government (central, devolved and local authorities) may have a need to employ a range of contractors to deliver certain types of work on its behalf.<br/><br/>Interested parties should email [email protected] by 19 Jun 2024 if you would like the slide pack relating to this requirement sent to you. (This will be issued on / before 21 June 2024.) On review of the slide pack, if you have further initial queries please submit them in writing to the contact above by 28 Jun 2024.

For Containerised Gassing Unit (CGU) services, including the Supply of Gasses and Poultry Catching Services. Designed to provide a fully comprehensive Service for both the catching and culling of birds using CGUs.<br/><br/>Containerised Gassing Units (CGUs) may be required to deal with depopulation activities on a poultry farm. Trained operatives should be provided as part of this service, as should the CGU, poultry catchers and required gas.

For assisting the Authority in catching poultry in a welfare friendly manner prior to any other process being undertaken.<br/><br/>Poultry catchers are required to humanely catch birds, either prior to inspection, or prior to culling. Housing layouts will vary, from caged to free range poultry units. Large numbers of catchers may be required to provide the service in a very short time frame.

For allowing the Authority and/or Other Contracting Body’s to request the gas needed for use in their own CGUs.<br/><br/>A variety of gases may be required to support disease control operations. Generally, this would be a combination of carbon dioxide and oxygen-free inert gas (argon or nitrogen) – although there is a possibility that other gas mixtures may be required from time to time.

For Whole House Gassing Services for large scale depopulation activities.<br/><br/>Whole House Gassing Services may be required to deal with large scale depopulation activities on a poultry farm. Trained operatives should be provided as part of this service, as should the equipment and required gas.