TUCKER, Ga. — The American Meat Institute (AMI) and US Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) will host a new conference for poultry processors called Animal Care and Handling – Focus on Poultry as part of the 2013 International Production & Processing Expo.

Leading industry experts will provide poultry processors with in-depth instruction on best practices for poultry handling and transportation and current stunning systems technology. Also, instructors will address factors that can impact animal welfare and affect poultry quality.

The conference is part of the education schedule. The registration fee for the program is $100 for all Expo attendees.

"The new poultry focused Animal Care and Handling program is both timely and essential. The poultry industry is being challenged in the area of animal welfare, and a program such as this can offer valuable, time-tested guidance for the proper care and handling of the birds," said John Starkey, USPOULTRY president.

Presenters at the poultry care and handling conference are:

• Dr. Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton of the Univ. of Arkansas will present on Stunning Systems for Chickens and Turkeys;

• Dr. Sarge Bilgili of Auburn Univ. will discuss Factors Affecting Chicken and Turkey Quality;

• Dr. Karen Christensen of OK Foods will provide an Overview of NCC, NTF, and UEP Animal Care Guidelines; and

• Dr. Eva Pendleton of Pennsylvania State Univ. will present on Broiler, Layer and Turkey Handling & Transport Quality Assurance.

“This program is another example of the synergistic benefit of integrating our respective tradeshows at the IPPE. We are able to offer an even stronger education program to benefit our attendees,” said J. Patrick Boyle, AMI president.