What is this?

Owners or their agents have a responsibility to select only fit and healthy animals for travel.

When selecting animals for transport, decisions must be made in relation to the fitness of that animal for the trip it is about to take.

Owners or their agents have a responsibility to select only fit and healthy animals for travel. More

Why is it important?

Transport operators have the right to refuse to transport unfit stock.

They have a responsibility for animals that are accepted for transport and must refuse stock they consider unfit to travel.

Transport operators have the right to refuse to transport unfit stock. More

What do I need to do?

When selecting animals for transport, consider their body condition and any evidence of disease, injuries or physical defects.

Cattle must have a BCS over 2.5, be able to bear weight on all limbs and have no apparent injuries or diseases (e.g. bleeding or cancer eye abscesses).

Where any doubt exists about an animal's fitness to travel, veterinary opinion should be sought.

When selecting animals for transport, consider their body condition and any evidence of disease, injuries or physical defects. More

IMPORTANT!

You should seek professional or legal advice with any matters involving legislation.

Health & Welfare progress

Selecting Stock for Transport

The Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare has minimum standards for selection of stock for transport. 

Minimum Standard No.18 - Pre-transport Selection

(a) The person in charge must examine the selected dairy cattle prior to transport, to ensure that all animals are fit and health for transportation.
(b) All dairy cattle, including calves, must be able to stand and bear weight on all four limbs and be fit enough to withstand the journey without suffering unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.
(c) Any animal likely to give birth during transport must not be selected.
(d) Every unweaned calf to be transported off the farm must have been fed at least half of that day’s ration of colostrum or milk, not more than 2 hours before transportation.
(e) Electric prodders must not be used to drive calves.

Would you like to review the guidelines for selecting stock for transport?