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Deliver treatments to livestock

URN: LANLP18
Business Sectors (Suites): Crofting and Smallholding,Livestock Production,Incident Management in the Land-based Sector
Developed by: Lantra
Approved on: 31 Jan 2022

Overview

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This standard covers delivering treatments to livestock. The word “treatment” is used in its broadest sense to include non-surgical procedures and routine health care treatments that fit into the overall health and welfare plan for a livestock enterprise.
   
You will deliver treatments to livestock consistent with national legal requirements and codes of practice. Such health care treatments should only be carried out on your own livestock or the livestock of your employer.
   
When working with livestock or equipment you should be trained, and hold the current certification where required, in accordance with the relevant legislation.

When carrying out your work you must consider the impact it will have on the environment, and work towards preserving and improving habitats and biodiversity and responding to and mitigating the effects of climate change.

This standard is suitable for those responsible for delivering treatments to livestock.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

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  1. assess the risks associated with the activity to be carried out
  2. wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) to deliver treatments to livestock
  3. use and store the drugs, medication and equipment needed to deliver treatments to livestock, in accordance with the relevant legislation, veterinary or manufacturer’s instructions and business practices 
  4. select, prepare, use and maintain the required equipment safely and correctly, in accordance with the relevant legislation, manufacturer’s instructions and business practices
  5. prepare the work area, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
  6. maintain hygiene and bio-security at all times when delivering treatments to livestock, in accordance with business practices
  7. restrain the animal securely and safely in a manner that meets your duty of care obligations under animal welfare legislation
  8. use the correct techniques to safely deliver the specified routine health care treatments at the correct time, in accordance with instructions
  9. use current and uncontaminated prescribed medication for the intended animal only 
  10. use the correct practices and techniques to deliver the non-surgical procedures required, and comply with the relevant legal requirements
  11. immediately seek assistance from the relevant person when there are issues with the delivery of treatments to livestock
  12. minimise any discomfort and provide good aftercare to livestock following treatments
  13. observe livestock after receiving treatments and take the required action where you have concerns over the animal’s health and wellbeing, in accordance with business practices
  14. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in, or affected by, your work
  15. dispose of used equipment, empty containers, surplus, out-of-date or unusable treatments, safely and correctly, in accordance with the relevant legislation, manufacturer’s requirements and business practices
  16. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, animal health and welfare legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and business policies
  17. complete records of treatments as required by the relevant legislation, codes of practice, quality assurance requirements and the business

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

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  1. how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with delivering treatments to livestock
  2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
  3. the types of tools and equipment required to deliver treatments to livestock and how to maintain, use and store these safely and correctly
  4. the importance of preparing the work area, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
  5. the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security and the methods for achieving this
  6. the different types of routine health care treatments available for livestock and how to administer them correctly, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
  7. the legal and the manufacturer’s requirements for the use and storage of drugs, medication and equipment used to deliver treatments to livestock 
  8. the types of non-surgical procedures for livestock and how to deliver them correctly, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices 
  9. how the treatment fits with the overall livestock health and welfare plan
  10. the limits of your responsibility in delivering treatments to livestock
  11. the significance of expiry dates on drugs and medications/vaccinations
  12. the possible sources of contamination to medications/vaccinations and types of damage
  13. the reasons and legislative requirements for withdrawal periods for the livestock receiving drugs and the consequences of not following withdrawal periods
  14. the consequences of the reduced effectiveness of drugs or medication, including drug resistance and drug immunity
  15. the different restraint techniques that can be used on livestock and the importance of using the correct techniques to minimise stress and ensure the safety of the handler and the animal
  16. the importance of adhering to instructions for delivering treatments to livestock and the potential consequences of not doing so
  17. the issues that could occur with the delivery of treatments to livestock, including when treatments are not suitable, and the actions to take in this case
  18. the aftercare required to promote the recovery of the animal
  19. why it is important to monitor the behaviour of livestock after treatment and the action to take when you have concerns
  20. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
  21. the different methods of marking livestock that have been treated
  22. how to handle, transport, store and dispose of all types of waste from delivering routine health care and non-surgical procedures, in accordance with the relevant legislation, manufacturer’s requirements and business practices
  23. the business policy in relation to delivering livestock treatments and your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare legislation and codes of practice
  24. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies
  25.  the requirements for reporting and recording and the length of time for which records should be retained

Scope/range

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

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Instructions may be verbal or written

Non-surgical procedures may include: 

• tail docking
• castration
• teeth and nail clipping
• disbudding
• claw removal and blocking
• wing clipping
• infra-red beak treatment

Routine health care treatments may include: 

• vaccinating
• worming
• topical treatments
• dipping
• basic medication
• adding treatments to food

Links To Other NOS

​LP17 Maintain the health and wellbeing of livestock

External Links

Version Number

4

Indicative Review Date

31 Jan 2027

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Lantra

Original URN

LANLP18

Relevant Occupations

Farmer, General Farm Worker, Pig Farm Worker, Poultry Farm Worker, Livestock Technician, Crofter, Smallholder

SOC Code

5119

Keywords

foot trimming; medication; vaccination; dipping; worming; animal; pigs; poultry; cattle; dairy; sheep; beef; goats; camelids