What is the Controlled Atmosphere Stunner Certification Service?
Our Controlled Atmosphere Stunner Certification Service evaluates the efficiency of Controlled Atmosphere Stunning (CAS) equipment used in pig and poultry abattoirs.
This involves a comprehensive inspection that examines the CAS process, safeguarding animal welfare in alignment with statutory regulations and guidelines from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and regularly updated assurance schemes. This service provides an independent certification for your CAS equipment, invaluable for veterinary inspectors, assurance schemes and for management purposes.
Ensuring Consistency and Compliance
with CAS-Check
For Engineering Manager Glen Smith at A.D. Harvey, maintaining an effective controlled
atmosphere stunning (CAS) system came with significant challenges:
“We were struggling with the consistency of reporting and the knowledge needed for a complex controlled atmosphere stunning system, especially the calibration and parameters to validate our approach.”
By partnering with Livetec and utilising the CAS-Check Service, A.D. Harvey
was able to overcome these obstacles and achieve their goals.
“They listened to the problems that we had and came up with an effective, innovative solution that gives us the results we need.”
What does the Controlled Atmosphere Stunner Certification Service cover?
We offer a comprehensive report that verifies the optimal functionality of the Controlled Atmosphere Stunning equipment. The assessment also covers details on components that may not be operating at their peak efficiency with advice on how to resolve the matter.
Why use Livetec’s Controlled Atmosphere Stunner Certification Service?
This service meets required regulations set by assurance schemes and the Food Standards Agency.
It also meets standards outlined by the British Retail Consortium who need to have an independent check on the effectiveness of the preslaughter stunning equipment.
The Controlled Atmosphere Stunner Certification Service focuses on these core elements of equipment functionality:
Measures gas concentrations
Monitors light
levels
Identifies areas of maintenance and potential issues
Temperature and relative humidity
What about Electrical Waterbath Stunning Equipment – Do you offer a checking service for this?
Exciting News: EWS Service Coming Soon!
Building on the success of our effective CAS (Controlled Atmosphere Stunner) Check Service, we’re thrilled to announce the development of our new EWS (Electrical Waterbath Stunner) Check Service. With preliminary testing already underway, this cutting-edge service is designed to bring even greater efficiency and reliability to your operations. Stay tuned – our EWS Check Service will be available for bookings in early summer 2025, offering you another powerful tool to ensure optimal performance and compliance.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need to get my stunning equipment checked?
To ensure compliance with UK regulations, it’s essential to independently check gas concentrations in stunners at least once or twice a year. Our specialised gas-checking service, when performed at regular intervals, provides you with a reliable report and certification to help you keep your system functioning smoothly, providing peace of mind during audits and ensuring consistent animal welfare. By scheduling these checks annually or biannually with us, you stay ahead of any issues, guaranteeing full compliance with legal standards while optimising your plant’s performance.
Will there be any downtime during the testing process?
No, it’s important that you continue to operate normally during the on site checking service. When our team are on site they will set up the necessary monitoring equipment and encourage you to continue to operate as normal in order for the required measurements to be taken.
What does the CAS Check involve?
The CAS Check Service evaluates the efficiency of Controlled Atmosphere Stunning (CAS) equipment used in pig and poultry abattoirs. The service measures the gas concentrations, temperature, relative humidity, vibration and light levels, to identify any potential issues and areas where maintenance may be required.
How many people will visit my/the site during the CAS Check?
During normal circumstances, for poultry sites one member of our trained team will attend your site to conduct the CAS Check. For pig sites we usually require two of our trained team to be on site. We ask that a member of your on site engineering team is present throughout the testing period. We may at times conduct team training and so will bring another person to site but if so we will confirm in advance of the site visit.
How often should I do a CAS Check?
You can commission the CAS Check Service as frequently as you require, please speak with our team to arrange a schedule that suit your needs.
What can I expect to receive as part of the CAS Check?
We will provide a comprehensive report, detailing the findings and recommendations as a result of the measurements taken during the site visit. We will also provide a certificate confirming date, location and equipment that was checked during the inspection.
How much does a CAS Check cost?
A CAS Check is priced at £2,000* per system on poultry sites and £2,500* per system on pig sites, which includes a pre-visit assessment which is completed via a questionnaire, site visit, data analysis to process the findings, a comprehensive report and certification.
*Please note this pricing is correct at the time of publish (27th November 2024), and may be subject to change. This is exclusive of travel/subsistence expenses incurred to conduct the site visit.
Will a CAS Check get me cheaper insurance?
We cannot guarantee your insurer will provide you with any discounted rate as a result of having a CAS Check, but your certificate issued with every check will provide evidence of your effective management of the equipment, which can be requested by insurers, assurance schemes, veterinary inspectors or the British Retail Consortium plus can be useful during any enforcement checks or inspections.
My equipment manufacturer does a maintenance service, why is this any different and why should I choose Livetec?
This service meets the required regulations set by assurance schemes and the Food Standards Agency. It also meets standards outlined by the British Retail Consortium. We provide an independent, third party inspection.
The Livetec team are the leaders in livestock protection solutions and products, our goal is to enable you to continue to operate effectively whilst adhering to compliance, legislation and animal welfare standards.
Our team are fully trained and professional. We are focused on providing you an exceptional and valuable service. The CAS Check Service can detect current issues and may predict future problems with the stunning process.
Do you offer a service for electrical waterbath equipment?
Building on the success of our effective CAS (Controlled Atmosphere Stunner) Check Service, we’re thrilled to announce the development of our new EWS (Electrical Waterbath Stunner) Check Service. With preliminary testing already underway, this cutting-edge service is designed to bring even greater efficiency and reliability to your operations. Stay tuned – our EWS Check Service will be available for bookings in early summer 2025, offering you another powerful tool to ensure optimal performance and compliance.