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

3 September 2008

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

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

Dear Ray,

I am qualified to carry out audits base on 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) and I am also registered as an auditor with the Australian Egg Corporation (AECL) Egg Corp Assured (ECA), National Egg Quality Assurance Program.

As requested I have carried out the audits during June and July including three farms previously audited. I have also inspected one new free range farm for its suitability to commence production and supply of eggs to your company FREF. A further shed was inspected at Booral in the process of being commissioned but was not stocked at this time.  The farm at Campvale has commissioned a second production unit which is included in this audit. At the previous audit it was a requirement of the Glenn Innes farm either to reduce the size of the flock or that the birds are provided with extra shelter. Both conditions have been met. With the alterations carried out the farm now have two methods of feeding which has further increased the feed space available to the birds.

As previously stated the audit was based on FREF Standards developed from the British code with further enhancements being included mindful for the need for continuous improvement. These include good farming practices including regular inspection of the management practices 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. These farms met and in a number of cases surpassed the set targets. The shedding provided to protect the bird from the elements was greater than the standard required. One of the production unit at Booral did not meet one of the standard requirement set by FREF for the number of drinking points required for up to a maximum of nine birds per drinking point however this production unit met the requirement for this point as set down by the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals, Domestic Poultry 4th Edition stating a maximum of 20 birds allowed. The area provided for grazing is reasonably covered taking into consideration the drought and winter conditions experience. It is expected that the vegetation cover will respond after recent rain. 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.

Sincerely