Requirements when Transporting Livestock
The Animal Welfare Act 1999 outlines the standards and guidelines when transporting all live animals.
All animals must be provided with reasonably comfortable and secure accommodation when being transported. Animals must not be transported in a manner that causes unnecessary pain or distress, and regular welfare checks must be completed.
The legislation is supported by the Animal Welfare Regulations 2018 that outline the regulations that must be followed at each stage of transporting an animal, including but not limited to:
• Requirements for a transportation vehicle
• Preparing animals for transport
• Loading and unloading
• The journey
• Special requirements depending on the mode of transportation, and
• Documentation required.
Animals must not be transported where they are unfit for travel unless a veterinary certificate is obtained. This includes where the animal has:
• Ingrown horns
• Bleeding horns or antlers
• Lameness
• Late-term pregnancy
• Injured or diseased udders, or
• Eye cancer.
In such cases, a veterinarian should be consulted. The veterinarian, at their discretion, may certify in writing that they consider the animal to be fit for transportation. The certification is only valid for seven days from the date of examination.
It is important to understand the requirements, as transportation of an unfit animal will constitute an infringement offence to the owner of the animal.
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