Transcript of Australian Animal Welfare - Land Transport of Livestock

Transcript of Australian Animal Welfare - Land Transport of Livestock

3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth Western Australia 6151
Telephone: +61 (0)8 9368 3333 Fax: +61 (0)8 9474 2405
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In the audio are:

Charlotte McIntyre, Senior Inspector, +61 (0)8 9892 8511

Transcript of Australian Animal Welfare - Land Transport of Livestock

The Australian Animal Welfare Standards for the Land Transport of Livestock are being implemented in every state and territory. This short film will help you understand what's required in order to comply with them. The film covers those standards which relate to handling livestock correctly during the transport process, the dos and the don'ts, the use of electric prodders and the minimum requirements for livestock vehicles and facilities. That means yards, ramps and raceways. Codes of Practice help us to determine what should be done to ensure good animal welfare outcomes. Standards are written into your state legislation as a must and are enforceable by law. The standards are relevant for anyone who is mustering or processing livestock in yards prior to transport, loading them onto vehicles and transporting them or receiving them at a destination.

Everybody is required to be competent to do their job and handle animals correctly. We are now going to look at some standards which apply to handling animals during transport. The standards make it mandatory that the vehicles and facilities that we use are built, maintained and used in a way that minimises the risk to livestock. So, the vehicle or facilities that you use must be appropriate to contain the species.

Here, a horse is being loaded into a purpose-built truck, no problems! But what if you tried to process cattle in these yards? If the animals can't be contained properly then alternative arrangements must be made. When considering the vehicle there must also be enough vertical clearance to minimise the risk of injury. Check the standards and guidelines as some species have specific requirements, such as horses and camels for vertical clearance flooring must minimise the likelihood of injury, such as this break in the flooring of the truck which poses a danger if the animals got their feet stuck

Flooring must also minimise the likelihood of slipping or falling such as the smooth concrete here where some sheep slip on contact. As opposed to this surface where cattle are unloaded and don't slip. If you're using yards or vehicles where livestock regularly slip or fall, consider ways in which you could modify the flooring such as putting down wood shavings or replacing flooring materials. Vehicles and handling facilities must be free from internal protrusions and objects that could cause injury. Any risks to livestock from things they come in contact with from this gap in the side gates which allows the sheep's legs to slip through to this jagged piece of metal in the sheep crate which could injure sheep are not permitted. Careful inspection of vehicles, ramps and yards prior to preparing animals for transport should identify potential hazards. Good maintenance on all yards regardless of their age is important. Remember, putting animals at risk while failing to manage vehicles or facilities is a breach of these standards and penalties may apply.

It's the driver's responsibility to make sure that the vehicle is backed up to the ramp properly so as the gap is narrow enough that livestock will not slip down it or get their feet caught during loading or unloading. The standards state that animals must be handled in a way that minimises pain or injury. There are some specific actions which are now prohibited with the exception of poultry. You must not lift livestock only by the head, ears, horns, neck, tail, wool, hair or feathers. Adult livestock must not be lifted by a single leg and no animal can be thrown or dropped or punched or kicked. The use of the electric prodder is strictly governed by these standards. It is prohibited to use the prodder at all on alpaca, horses, emu or ostrich. All other animals have restrictions for the use of the prodder. Prodders may not be applied to the genital, anal or facial areas of any animal. They may not be used on any animal under three months old or on any animal which is unable to move away or excessively on any animal. Additional restrictions apply to the use of the prodder on buffalo, camel, deer, goats and pigs. Check the standards to see what is and is not permitted when using a prodder for these species.

So, how can you make sure that you comply with the standards and handle livestock correctly? Firstly, ensure that everyone who handles livestock during the transport process is familiar with the requirements of these standards. Secondly, training and developing skills so that livestock are handled appropriately are worth considering to ensure good animal welfare outcomes. Thirdly, make sure your facilities and vehicles are appropriate to the species you are handling and well maintained.

For more help and advice on the standards relating to handling livestock see or contact your state or territory regulator for animal welfare