An updated guide to help producers, agents, buyers and transporters decide if an animal is fit to be loaded for transport by road or rail has been released by Meat & Livestock Australia.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The 2019 edition of the national guide, Is The Animal Fit To Load?, includes new content to ensure best practice animal welfare when preparing, loading and delivering cattle, sheep and goats.
MLA producer consultation and adoption general manager Michael Crowley said with the industry continuing to deal with ongoing dry conditions across many livestock production regions, the release of the revised guide was timely.
‘‘The Australian red meat industry is absolutely committed to animal welfare practices and ensuring livestock are cared for,’’ Mr Crowley said.
‘‘The guide has been developed to help livestock operators meet the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock, and decide whether an animal is fit to be loaded for transport and for the entire journey by road or rail, to any destination within Australia.
‘‘It contains new information about loading densities for livestock, managing effluent and the chain of responsibility for all involved.
‘‘The roles and responsibilities of consigners and transporters are clearly defined in the guide, along with checklists to help assess whether an animal is fit to load.’’
