Rowly Horn Services
1589 Elizabeth Drive Kemps Creek NSW 2178
Telephone: (02) 9826 1847 Facsimile: (02) 9826 1003
Email: rowly@rowlyhorn.com

10 September 2009

Mr Ray Leach
Free Range Egg Farms (FREF)
PO Box 699
North Bridge NSW 1560

Free Range Third Party Audit Completed at Booral, Campvale and Allworth NSW

Dear Ray,

You have commissioned me to carry out the requirements of the audits based on my qualifications and the following experience. I have been a Poultry Consultant for approximately 50 years, including 20 years as a poultry advisor for the NSW Department of Agriculture situated at Seven Hills Poultry Research Station. I am qualified as a skilled HACCP Practioner maintaining my registration with QSA International (Quality Society of Australia Limited). I have received in 2008, The Australian Poultry Award presented by the Australian Branch of The World’s Poultry Science Association for meritorious services to the Poultry Industry.

With the addition of a new farm at Allworth I have completed audits of the two commissioned sheds. I have also completed audits at the Glenn Innes farm for 4 sheds and a new shed was observed for suitability for supply. This was a previous audited supply farm and the audit was completed on the basis of providing a backup for the supply of free range eggs if required by FREF.

As requested I carried out the farm audits during June 2009 which included three farms previously audited. At the time of the audit a shed at Booral had been depopulated being readied for a replacement flock of pullets. A previous commissioned shed was being used as a barn production system and was not included in this audit.

The audit was based on FREF Standards developed from the British code with further enhancements being included mindful for the need for continuous improvement. For comparison purposes I have included standard published in The Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals Domestic Poultry 4th Edition.

This audit included good farming practices requiring regular inspection of the flocks carried out by your management team and continuous upgrading of the Bio Security and Vaccination Programs to protect the flock from the possible introduction of exotic disease. A new vaccination program has been introduced by your Consulting Veterinarian. These farms met and in a number of cases surpassed the set targets. The shedding provided to protect the bird from the elements was the standard required. The area provided for grazing is reasonably covered taking into consideration the wet winter conditions experience. It is expected that the vegetation cover will respond when warmer spring weather arrives. An improvement achieved since the last audit is the extended time the birds are allowed access to the range. The environmental conditions provided including access to feed, water and nest boxes were excellent.

The work sheet notes and data collected compared to the standards have been provided to you at FREF. I have also provided further suggestions to the Producers for improving nutrition and nutritional management including other management practices and the need for continual observations for improvement in flock welfare.

With due consideration I can certify that these five free range production units on three farms meet the requirements of the audit. Also the Glenn Innes farm can be included with 4 sheds and a further new shed after an audit is completed of this shed.

Sincerely