Industry bodies Federated Farmers and DairyNZ have both warned farmers and trucking operators that animal welfare rules must be adhered to when transporting stock regardless of their desitnation.
The regulation reminder comes following recent news and social media comments on a case now being investigated by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
A picture of Jersey cows being transported across Cook Straight for slaughter recently, led to thousands of shares on Facebook, attacks on farming practices and a complaint to MPI.
Federated Farmers animal welfare spokesperson, Andrew Hoggard, says the rules on stock welfare and stock transport are clearly laid out in the MPI codes of welfare practice.
“For transport, the trucker has to follow rules, such as keeping the animals fed and watered for long distance transport, but both the trucker and farmer are legally responsible for making sure that stock are suitable for transport at loading.”
“When a farmer wants to transport stock off the property, if there is any doubt about suitability for transport then a vet ought to be consulted before loading. That’s the rule and it is a good rule,” says Hoggard
DairyNZ’s veterinary technical policy advisor, Dr Nita Harding, says the requirements for transporting cattle are the same whether the animals are going to slaughter or some other destination – all animals must be fit for the journey.
“It is not acceptable to load and transport very thin animals and most farmers understand that and take great care of their animals.”
“If any farmers are unsure of their responsibilities, there is information on the DairyNZ that includes a checklist to help determine stock condition and whether stock are fit for transport.”
“We have also assisted with some recent MPI workshops on transporting livestock held for stock transporters, stock agents and meat industry personnel,” says Harding.
Harding says in preparation for transport, animals should be held off green feed for four to 12 hours, with water and hay provided, and a final check made at the time of loading.
“Animals that are not fit to travel must receive appropriate care on-farm, including veterinary care if necessary, and in some cases this may mean humane slaughter on-farm,” she says.
According to Hoggard a drought in many parts of the South Island means that feed is getting tight for some farmers as the winter season arrives.
“This means farmers have to plan ahead to budget extra feed in, or they need to quit their stock well before they become an animal welfare issue,” says Hoggard.
“For those farmers who are struggling with the drought there is support available through the Rural Support Trust and Federated Farmers Feedline,” he says.
