On-Farm Kill and Carcase Collection Services Framework

Tender description

APHA has a critical role in the control and eradication of endemic and infectious diseases, most notably bovine tuberculosis (TB). The Government is committed to eradicating bovine TB to support the food and farming industry and reducing costs for farmers and taxpayers. TB testing and Reactor Removal plays a crucial role in identifying infected herds and controlling TB, thus helping to reduce further spread of the disease. On-Farm Kill services are primarily required for TB reactors but may be required for animals affected by other diseases or welfare issues, which are unfit to be transported to a slaughterhouse and/or enter the food chain. This may include (but is not limited to) farmed animals during the last 10% of gestation, those that are lame, or are unfit to enter the food chain due to being under the drug withdrawal period, or Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) suspect animals. Lot 1: On Farm Kill, including handling, culling, removal of carcase(s) and provision of post mortem examination facilities, (where required) and carcase disposal Services Providers will provide a complete service from start to finish from killing the animal, preparing the carcase for PME and disposing of the carcase and waste. There is also a service under this lot where an animal is killed on farm and delivered to an APHA lab for further investigation. Lot 2: Carcase Collection Services Providers will provide a Carcase collection service to collect Carcases that are deemed to be of surveillance value, from the Authority assigned areas in England and Wales, and deliver them to the appropriate PME site. Lot 3: Slaughterman – Captive Bolt Services Providers will provide a captive bolt service where there services are required as part of an incident or outbreak. For example these service may be required where large numbers of animals need processing and the waste is removed via bulkers rather than via lot 1. Lot 4: Slaughterman – Free Bullet Marksmen Services Providers will provide a free bullet service where there services are required as part of an incident or outbreak. For example these service may be required where large numbers of animals need processing and the waste is removed via bulkers rather than via lot 1. Lot 5: Droving and Herding Services • Providers will provide droving and herding services including farm labour and specialist handling equipment to enable operations such as enforced TB testing to be carried out. Lot 6: Live animal transport Where there are not adequate facilities to slaughter on site, Providers will provide the capability to transport animals alive to a specified location where they will be unloaded and then processed as required.