Summary
Most Australian livestock are transported at some
stage in their lives and the attendant risks must be managed. Like
other countries, Australia has location-specific challenges for
the land transport of animals that derive from general geography
and history, quality of the road and rail systems, design of vehicles
and handling facilities, competency and experience of drivers and
livestock handlers, and pre- and post-journey management of animals.
Australia is a large and sparsely populated country and requires
a risk-based approach which builds on equivalent outcomes and performance
criteria to ensure good welfare for animals during long distance
transport. There are shared responsibilities by owners and service
providers along the transport chain. Governments work closely with
livestock industries, transporters, stock agents, sale yard operators,
abattoir owners, feedlot owners and animal welfare organisations
to develop and then apply sustainable animal welfare standards and
appropriate regulations. The Australian Animal Welfare Strategy
sets out a broad and inclusive forum for this to occur in a consultative
and cooperative manner and with the necessary input from science.
Animal welfare is protected through a combination of codes of practice,
appropriate transport standards, industry quality assurance programmes
and the enforcement of laws and regulations.
Keywords
Animal,
Australia, Long distance, Public policy, Science, Transport, Welfare.
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