Renewing the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy

D AF F D ISCU SSIO N P AP ER:
REN EW IN G TH E AU STRALIAN AN IM AL
W ELF ARE STRATEGY
J u n e 20 24

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA)
www.alrta.org.au office@alrta.org.au | 02 6247 5434 | PO Box 4244 Manuka ACT 2602 Page 1 of 21
Co n t e n t s

ALRTA and our Association ........................................................................................... 3
Executive Summary...................................................................................................... 4
Challenges and Opportunities....................................................................................... 7
Nationally consistent and harmonised regulations and standards ........................................ 7
Reputation, Recognition and Accreditation ....................................................................... 11
Technology and Innovation ............................................................................................... 12
The Livestock Transport Task ............................................................................................ 13
Environment, Biosecurity and Disease .............................................................................. 14
Infrastructure and Investment........................................................................................... 14
External Influences ........................................................................................................... 16
ALRTA Responses to Consultation Questions ................................................................ 18

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA)
www.alrta.org.au office@alrta.org.au | 02 6247 5434 | PO Box 4244 Manuka ACT 2602 Page 2 of 21
12 J u ly 20 24

D e a r Sir/Ma d a m ,

RESP O NSE TO REVIEW O F THE AUSTRALIAN ANIMAL W ELFARE STRATEGY

Th e Au st ra lia n Live st o c k a n d Ru ra l Tra n sp o rt e rs Asso c ia t io n (ALRTA) t h a n k t h e
D e p a rt m e n t o f Ag ric u lt u re , Fo re st ry a n d Fish e rie s (D AFF) fo r t h e o p p o rt u n it y t o re sp o n d t o t h e D isc u ssio n P a p e r: Re vie w o f t h e Au st ra lia n An im a l W e lfa re St ra t e g y (AAW S).

ALRTA a n d o u r As s o c ia t io n
Th e ALRTA is t h e p e a k b o d y re p re se n t in g ro a d t ra n sp o rt b u sin e sse s se rvic in g t h e a g ric u lt u ra l su p p ly c h a in . W e a re a fe d e ra t io n o f six st a t e a sso c ia t io n s in c lu d in g :

• Live st o c k , Bu lk a n d Ru ra l Ca rrie rs Asso c ia t io n o f Ne w So u t h W a le s
• Live st o c k a n d Ru ra l Tra n sp o rt e rs Asso c ia t io n o f Vic t o ria
• Live st o c k a n d Ru ra l Tra n sp o rt e rs Asso c ia t io n o f So u t h Au st ra lia
• Live st o c k a n d Ru ra l Tra n sp o rt Asso c ia t io n o f W e st e rn Au st ra lia
• Live st o c k a n d Ru ra l Tra n sp o rt e rs Asso c ia t io n o f Q u e e n sla n d
• Live st o c k Tra n sp o rt e rs Asso c ia t io n o f Ta sm a n ia

To g e t h e r o u r a sso c ia t io n s re p re se n t a p p ro xim a t e ly 750 t ra n sp o rt b u sin e sse s in c lu d in g o w n e r-d rive rs, sm a ll fle e t o p e ra t o rs a n d la rg e fle e t o p e ra t o rs w it h h u n d re d s o f t ru c k s a n d t ra ile rs. Live st o c k a n d ru ra l t ra n sp o rt b u sin e sse s a re t h e c o n n e c t ive t issu e o f re g io n a l c o m m u n it ie s c o n n e c t in g p a d d o c k t o m a rk e t s t o p la t e a n d a re la rg e re g io n a l e m p lo ye rs a n d e c o n o m ic d rive rs.

ALRTA m e m b e rs a re p ivo t a l t o t h e Au st ra lia n a g ric u lt u ra l in d u st ry a n d it is e st im a t e d t o c o n t rib u t e a p p ro xim a t e ly $ 16 b illio n t o t h e Au st ra lia n e c o n o m y.

ALRTA it e ra t e t h a t it is im p e ra t ive t h a t t h e re n e w e d AAW S a d d re sse s t h e c u rre n t c h a lle n g e s a n d le ve ra g e s t h e o p p o rt u n it ie s p re se n t e d b y ALRTA in t h is su b m issio n .
By d o in g so , w e c a n e n su re a fu t u re w h e re b o t h p e o p le a n d a n im a ls b e n e fit fro m a c o m p re h e n sive , e ffe c t ive a n d re sp e c t e d a n im a l w e lfa re syst e m .

Sh o u ld yo u h a ve a n y q u e st io n s o r re q u ire fu rt h e r in fo rm a t io n re g a rd in g t h is su b m issio n , p le a se c o n t a c t Exe c u t ive Dire c t o r, Ra c h e l Sm it h , o n or
.

Yo u r sin c e re ly,

Sc o t t Mc D o n a ld
ALRTA P re sid e n t

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA)
www.alrta.org.au office@alrta.org.au | 02 6247 5434 | PO Box 4244 Manuka ACT 2602 Page 3 of 21
Exe c u t iv e Su m m a ry
O u r re sp o n se s t o t h e d isc u ssio n p a p e r d e t a il t h e c u rre n t c h a lle n g e s e xp e rie n c e d b y t h e live st o c k t ra n sp o rt se c t o r a n d p ro vid e s re c o m m e n d a t io n s fo r o p p o rt u n it ie s t h a t c a n su p p o rt d e ve lo p m e n t o f a n e ffe c t ive St ra t e g y t h a t c a n t ru ly d e live r a visio n fo r t h e w e lfa re o f a n im a ls .

ALRTA st ro n g ly re c o m m e n d s t h a t e xist in g p ro g ra m s a n d in it ia t ive s a re su p p o rt e d a n d fu rt h e r d e ve lo p e d ra t h e r t h a n a ‘st a rt -fro m -sc ra t c h ’ a p p ro a c h .

A decade of inaction
Au st ra lia h a s b e e n w it h o u t a c le a r, n a t io n a l d ire c t io n in t e rm s o f a n im a l w e lfa re fo r o ve r a d e c a d e . Th e d e ve lo p m e n t o f a n e w AAW S is a g o ld e n o p p o rt u n it y t o se t t h e c o u rse fo r t h e fu t u re , e n su rin g a m o d e rn ise d a n d fu n c t io n a l a n im a l w e lfa re syst e m t h a t b e n e fit s b o t h h u m a n s a n d a n im a ls.

Th is p a st d e c a d e o f in a c t io n h a s re su lt e d in a lo ss o f n a t io n a l c o o rd in a t io n a n d le a d e rsh ip , w h ic h h a s d e t rim e n t a lly im p a c t e d Au st ra lia ’s in t e rn a t io n a l re p u t a t io n in re sp e c t t o a n im a l w e lfa re . Th is h a s e ro d e d c o m m u n it y c o n fid e n c e a n d re la t io n sh ip s, c re a t in g u n c e rt a in t y w it h in t h e in d u st ry a s se e n w it h t h e re c e n t b a n o f t h e live e xp o rt o f sh e e p b y se a , a n d d e p rivin g b illio n s o f a n im a ls o f p o t e n t ia lly im p ro ve d w e lfa re s t a n d a rd s .

Th e AAW S p re se n t s a u n iq u e o p p o rt u n it y t o c re a t e a n e ffe c t ive , c o o p e ra t ive n a t io n a l fra m e w o rk t h a t u n d e rp in s a ll a sp e c t s o f a n im a l w e lfa re in Au st ra lia . It h a s t h e p o t e n t ia l t o a ffe c t t h e live s o f b illio n s o f a n im a ls fo r d e c a d e s t o c o m e . It c a n so lid ify
Au st ra lia ’s re p u t a t io n a s a w o rld le a d e r in a n im a l w e lfa re a n d m e a t q u a lit y. It c a n re in vig o ra t e in d u st rie s t h a t h a ve b e e n d e c im a t e d d u e t o a la c k o f a n im a l w e lfa re re g u la t o ry o ve rsig h t a n d d ire c t io n , su c h a s live e xp o rt b y se a .

Sim ila rly, a re n e w e d AAW S c a n e n a b le b u sin e sse s in re g io n a l a n d ru ra l Au st ra lia t o p ro sp e r a n d g ro w , c o n t in u in g t o su st a in lo c a l e c o n o m ie s a n d c o n t rib u t in g t o st ro n g re g io n a l c o m m u n it ie s. It c a n p ro vid e in c re a se d c o n fid e n c e t o t h e p u b lic a n d im p ro ve t h e o ve ra ll re p u t a t io n o f a n in d u st ry t h a t in je c t s b illio n s o f d o lla rs e a c h ye a r t o t h e n a t io n a l e c o n o m y.

Consultation is paramount
In d e ve lo p in g t h e AAW S, it is c ru c ia l t h a t t h e Au st ra lia n Go ve rn m e n t c o n su lt s b ro a d ly w it h re p u t a b le st a k e h o ld e rs. As t h e p e a k b o d y re p re se n t in g ru ra l live st o c k t ra n sp o rt e rs, ALRTA a n d o u r m e m b e rs p la y a p ivo t a l ro le in t h e live st o c k su p p ly c h a in , c o n n e c t in g p a d d o c k t o sa le ya rd s, fe e d lo t s, p ro c e sso rs a n d e xp o rt m a rk e t s.

Co n se q u e n t ly, ALRTA re q u e st e n g a g e m e n t a s a k e y st a k e h o ld e r in b o t h t h e d e ve lo p m e n t o f t h e ‘live st o c k a n d p ro d u c t io n a n im a ls’ c h a p t e r a n d ‘a n im a ls u se d fo r w o rk, sp o rt a n d re c re a t io n ’ c h a p t e r. Th e la t t e r b e in g im p o rt a n t a s w o rk in g d o g s a re a k e y c o m p o n e n t in t h e t ra n sp o rt o f sh e e p .

W it h re sp e c t t o c h a p t e r: ‘a n im a ls u se d fo r w o rk, sp o rt a n d re c re a t io n ’, ALRTA n o t e t h a t a n im a ls u se d fo r w o rk (e .g ., live st o c k w o rk in g d o g s) h a ve fu n d a m e n t a lly d iffe re n t n e e d s t h a n a n im a ls u se d fo r sp o rt o r re c re a t io n (e .g ., h u n t in g o r c o m p e t it io n d o g s). ALRTA c o n sid e rs t h a t a n im a ls u se d fo r w o rk sh o u ld b e se p a ra t e d fro m t h e a n im a ls u se d fo r sp o rt a n d re c re a t io n c h a p t e r.

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA)
www.alrta.org.au office@alrta.org.au | 02 6247 5434 | PO Box 4244 Manuka ACT 2602 Page 4 of 21
Less time, more funding

ALRTA c o n sid e r t h e p ro p o se d t im e lin e fo r t h e re n e w a l o f t h e AAW S in su ffic ie n t , a s is t h e b u d g e t o f $ 5 m illio n fo r it s d e ve lo p m e n t . Th e p e rio d fo r c o n su lt a t io n a n d d e ve lo p m e n t , e xt e n d in g t o 20 27, se e m s u n n e c e ssa rily le n g t h y. Th e lo n g e r t h e p ro c e s s t a k e s, t h e lo n g e r it t a ke s t o re b u ild o u r re p u t a t io n a s a g lo b a l le a d e r a n d a ssu re b e st p ra c t ic e in a n im a l w e lfa re is a c h ie ve d .

Th e re is a n o p p o rt u n it y t o e xp e d it e t h e p ro c e ss b y d e ve lo p in g t h e c h a p t e rs c o n c u rre n t ly, e sp e c ia lly a s t h e re m a y b e o ve rla p a n d c o m m o n issu e s.

Evidence and science-based decision making

ALRTA re in fo rc e s t h e n e e d fo r a ll p o lic y d e c isio n a n d re c o m m e n d a t io n s fa llin g fro m t h e AAW S t o b e g u id e d b y re se a rc h a n d sc ie n c e , o p p o se d t o id e o lo g y.

Au st ra lia is a k e y c o n t rib u t o r t o t h e W o rld O rg a n isa t io n o f An im a l He a lt h , c o n t rib u t in g t o in t e rn a t io n a l m e e t in g s, p ro vid in g e xp e rt in p u t t o su p p o rt , p ro t e c t , a n d st re n g t h e n t h e g lo b a l ru le s-b a se d o rd e r a n d e n su rin g t h a t p o lic ie s a re e vid e n c e - b a se d a n d p ra c t ic a l.

Fu rt h e r, Au st ra lia is a c k n o w le d g e d b y t h e W o rld O rg a n isa t io n o f An im a l He a lt h a s a n in t e rn a t io n a l le a d e r in a n im a l w e lfa re o u t c o m e s. It is c le a r w h e n sc ie n c e a n d re se a rc h d rive c h a n g e , re a l, im p ro ve d a n im a l w e lfa re o u t c o m e s c a n b e a c h ie ve d .

ALRTA c o n sid e r t h a t c o n t rib u t io n s t o t h e d e ve lo p m e n t o f t h e AAW S sh o u ld b e d e c lin e d w h e re re p re se n t a t ive g ro u p s o r p e rso n s in p u t id e o lo g ie s o p p o se d t o e vid e n t ia ry a n d sc ie n t ific a lly b a c k e d fa c t s.

A clear strategy that supports national harmonisation

Th e re is a c le a r im p e ra t ive fo r n a t io n a lly c o n sist e n t a n d h a rm o n ise d re g u la t io n s a n d st a n d a rd s . Au st ra lia is o n e n a t io n a l e c o n o m y. Ha rm o n isin g re g u la t o ry fu n c t io n s a n d st a n d a rd s t h ro u g h a n a t io n a lly c o n sist e n t a p p ro a c h n o t o n ly in c re a se s p ro d u c t ivit y b u t p ro d u c e s b e t t e r a n im a l w e lfa re o u t c o m e s t h ro u g h b e t t e r u n d e rst a n d in g o f re q u ire m e n t s a n d a n a t io n a lly c o n sist e n t a p p ro a c h .

Commitment to continuous improvement

ALRTA a t t e n d e d t h e in a u g u ra l Na t io n a l An im a l W e lfa re Ro u n d t a b le h o st e d b y D AFF in Fe b ru a ry 20 24 . Th e Ro u n d t a b le , a t t e n d e d b y 26 st a k e h o ld e rs fro m a c ro ss t h e live st o c k su p p ly c h a in , re su lt e d in a n o ve rw h e lm in g c o m m it m e n t t o c o n t in u o u sly im p ro ve b e st p ra c t ic e a n im a l w e lfa re st a n d a rd s, e n su rin g Au st ra lia c o n t in u e s t o b e a re c o g n ise d g lo b a l le a d e r in t h is a re a .

Th e live st o c k t ra n sp o rt in d u st ry h a s le d a n d c o lla b o ra t e d in m a n y in it ia t ive s t h a t su p p o rt b e st p ra c t ic e in a n im a l w e lfa re o u t c o m e s. So m e in it ia t ive s d e m o n st ra t in g o u r c o m m it m e n t t o c o n t in u o u s im p ro ve m e n t a n d c o lla b o ra t io n in c lu d e :

 AS534 0 :20 20 Au s t ra lia n St a n d a rd fo r Lo a d in g a n d Fo rc in g Ya rd s : Th e
St a n d a rd w a s d e ve lo p e d b y St a n d a rd s Au st ra lia o n t h e re q u e st o f t h e ALRTA.

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA)
www.alrta.org.au office@alrta.org.au | 02 6247 5434 | PO Box 4244 Manuka ACT 2602 Page 5 of 21
Th e St a n d a rd w a s b a se d o n t h e p re -e xist in g Gu id e fo r Sa fe D e sig n o f Live st o c k
Lo a d in g Ra m p s a n d Fo rc in g Ya rd s p u b lish e d b y ALRTA in 20 15.
 Tru c k Ca re An im a l W e lfa re Ac c re d it a t io n : ALRTA is c u rre n t ly re vie w in g a n d
re la u n c h in g ‘Tru c k Ca re ’, w o rld -c la ss An im a l W e lfa re Ac c re d it a t io n p ro g ra m fo r
t h e ro a d t ra n sp o rt o f a n im a ls w it h in Au st ra lia .
 Ma n a g in g Efflu e n t in t h e Live s t o c k Su p p ly Ch a in : Th e Efflu e n t Co d e is a
p ra c t ic a l g u id e t h a t a ssist s live st o c k t ra n sp o rt s a n d o ff-ro a d p a rt ie s t o c o m p ly
w it h t h e ir p rim a ry d u t y a n d o t h e r d u t ie s u n d e r t h e He a vy Ve h ic le Na t io n a l La w
(HVNL). It d e sc rib e s t h e c o n t ro ls t h a t p a rt ie s in t h e Ch a in o f Re sp o n sib ilit y c a n
im p le m e n t t o m in im ise t h e risk o f live st o c k e fflu e n t sp illa g e in t ra n sit , a n d
t h e re fo re im p ro ve a n im a l w e lfa re d u rin g t ra n sit .
 Live s t o c k Re g u la t o ry Ad vic e : Th e Na t io n a l He a vy Ve h ic le Re g u la t o r (NHVR)
d e ve lo p e d t h is Re g u la t o ry Ad vic e t o p ro vid e g u id a n c e t o b u sin e sse s a n d
in d ivid u a ls t h a t u se o r e n g a g e t h e u se o f h e a vy ve h ic le s t o t ra n sp o rt live st o c k
b y ro a d . Th e Ad vic e su p p o rt s b e st p ra c t ic e t o e n su re a n im a l w e lfa re o u t c o m e s
a re a c h ie ve d .
 Live s t o c k Lo a d in g De n s it ie s : ALRTA in p a rt n e rsh ip w it h m e m b e rs a n d
in d u st ry st a k e h o ld e rs re g u la rly re vie w a n d p u b lish lo a d in g d e n sit y
re q u ire m e n t s t o d e live r o p t im a l a n im a l w e lfa re o u t c o m e s. A c o p y o f t h e Gu id e
c a n b e vie w e d h e re .
 Live s t o c k Lo a d in g Sc h e m e s : Ne w So u t h W a le s, Vic t o ria a n d Q u e e n sla n d
o p e ra t e in d e p e n d e n t live st o c k lo a d in g sc h e m e s t o p ro vid e in c re a se d m a ss
lim it s fo r live st o c k ve h ic le s t o e n su re a n im a l w e lfa re is a c h ie ve d d u rin g ro a d
t ra n sp o rt . O f in t e re st , t h e Na t io n a l He a vy Ve h ic le Re g u la t o r (NHVR) re c e n t ly
c o n su lt e d t o im p ro ve sa fe t y, p ro d u c t ivit y a n d e ffic ie n c y fo r t h e live st o c k
t ra n sp o rt a t io n in d u st ry, h o w e ve r lim it e d a g re e m e n t w a s re a c h e d b y St a t e s
a n d Te rrit o rie s.
 Ro a d s id e Efflu e n t D is p o s a l Sit e s : ALRTA h a s lo n g b e e n a d vo c a t in g t h e n e e d
fo r ro a d sid e e fflu e n t d isp o sa l fa c ilit ie s t o e n a b le e fflu e n t c a p t u re d in e fflu e n t
t a n k s (c o n t a in m e n t t a n k s fit t e d t o live st o c k t ra ile rs t o c a p t u re e fflu e n t a n d
m it ig a t e risk s o f sp ills a n d a n im a l slip p a g e s d u rin g t ra n sit ), t o e n a b le e fflu e n t
t o b e e ffe c t ive ly m a n a g e d fo r t h e e n t ire t y o f t h e jo u rn e y. ALRTA is in re c e ip t o f
fu n d in g fro m t h e He a vy Ve h ic le Sa fe t y In it ia t ive (HVSI) t o p a rt n e r w it h
c o m m u n it ie s t o c o n st ru c t t h e se fa c ilit ie s.
 Fit t o Lo a d Glo ve b o x Gu id e : LBRCA a n d MINTRAC c o lla b o ra t e d t o d e ve lo p
t h is Gu id e fo r t h e live st o c k su p p ly c h a in . Th e g u id e p ro vid e s in fo rm a t io n o n
t h e sig n s a n d b e h a vio u rs in live st o c k t h a t c o u ld in d ic a t e a n a n im a l m a y h a ve
a n Em e rg e n c y An im a l D ise a se (EAD ).
 Live s t o c k ASSIST: Live st o c k ASSIST is a 24 h r n a t io n a l h o t lin e d e d ic a t e d t o
c o o rd in a t in g e m e rg e n c y re sp o n se s fo r in c id e n t s in vo lvin g h e a vy ve h ic le
c a rryin g live st o c k. Th e se rvic e lin ks in t o a n e st a b lish e d n e t w o rk o f lo c a l
c o n t a c t s w it h t h e e xp e rt ise a n d e q u ip m e n t n e e d e d t o re c o ve r live st o c k fro m
t h e ve h ic le , ro u n d u p e sc a p e d a n im a ls, a n d t o m a k e d e c isio n s a b o u t
ve t e rin a ry se rvic e s. ALRTA m e m b e rs vo lu n t e e r t o jo in t h e lo c a l c o n t a c t s list .
 MLA Tra n s p o rt Hu b : Me a t & Live st o c k Au st ra lia ’s Tra n sp o rt Hu b b rin g s
t o g e t h e r e ve ryt h in g a b o u t t ra n sp o rt in g live st o c k sa fe t y, le g a lly a n d h u m a n e ly.

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) www.alrta.org.au office@alrta.org.au | 02 6247 5434 | PO Box 4244 Manuka ACT 2602 Page 6 of 21
Ch a lle n g e s a n d O p p o rt u n it ie s
Na t io n a lly c o n s is t e n t a n d h a rm o n is e d re g u la t io n s a n d s t a n d a rd s
RAMP Standard
Th e Au st ra lia n St a n d a rd fo r Live st o c k lo a d in g /u n lo a d in g ra m p s a n d fo rc in g p e n s (AS
534 0 :20 20 ) w a s p u b lish e d in 20 20 . D e sp it e it s p u b lic a t io n , AS534 0 :20 20 h a s n o t b e e n re g u la t e d in a n y ju risd ic t io n . Th is h a s re su lt e d in in su ffic ie n t re p a irs, m a in t e n a n c e , a n d u p g ra d e s t o t h e se fa c ilit ie s, w h ic h h a s d im in ish e d a n im a l w e lfa re .

Re g u la t in g AS534 0 :20 20 in c o m b in a t io n w it h t a rg e t e d in fra st ru c t u re in ve st m e n t w ill sig n ific a n t ly e n h a n c e a n im a l w e lfa re a t live st o c k h a n d lin g fa c ilit ie s n a t io n w id e , e n h a n c in g Au st ra lia ’s p o sit io n a s a g lo b a l le a d e r in a n im a l w e lfa re p ra c t ic e s.

Th e AAW S sh o u ld b e d e ve lo p e d t o fa c ilit a t e a d o p t io n o f AS534 0 :20 20 Au st ra lia n
St a n d a rd fo r Live st o c k lo a d in g /u n lo a d in g ra m p s a n d fo rc in g p e n s b y a ll ju risd ic t io n s.

Optimal Trailer Design
O p t im a l t ra ile r d e sig n is c rit ic a l t o m in im ise st re ss a n d p h ysic a l h a rm t o live st o c k d u rin g t ra n sp o rt . Fe a t u re s su c h a s n o n -b ru isin g flo o rin g a n d w a lls re d u c e in ju rie s a n d e n su re a n im a l c o m fo rt . Hyd ra u lic g a t e s fa c ilit a t e e ffic ie n t lo a d in g a n d u n lo a d in g p ro c e sse s, e m p h a sisin g b e st p ra c t ic e h a n d in g fo r live st o c k.

Efflu e n t t a n k s fit t e d t o live st o c k t ra ile rs c a p t u re a n d m a n a g e w a st e , e n su rin g h yg ie n e a n d e n viro n m e n t a l c o m p lia n c e d u rin g t ra n sp o rt . Co n t in u o u s a d va n c e m e n t s in live st o c k t ra ile r d e sig n m u st fo c u s o n im p ro vin g a n im a l w e lfa re o u t c o m e s, t h a t e n h a n c e o p e ra t io n a l e ffic ie n c y, a n d m e e t re g u la t o ry st a n d a rd s.

Th e AAW S sh o u ld c o n sid e r t h e ra m ific a t io n s o f p o o r t ra ile r d e sig n a n d it s im p a c t o n a n im a l w e lfa re .

Multitude of Legislative Instruments
In Au st ra lia , a n im a l w e lfa re is m a n a g e d b y in d ivid u a l st a t e s a n d t e rrit o rie s, re su lt in g in e ig h t d ist in c t le g a l fra m e w o rks w it h a t o t a l o f 20 1 p ie c e s o f su b o rd in a t e le g isla t io n c a t e g o rise d b y a n im a l t yp e s: c o m p a n io n , p ro d u c t io n , w ild /e xo t ic , a n d e n t e rt a in m e n t .

Ea c h fra m e w o rk c o n s is t s o f a p rim a ry la w a n d se c o n d a ry la w s k n o w n a s re g u la t io n s a n d c o d e s o f p ra c t ic e .

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA)
www.alrta.org.au office@alrta.org.au | 02 6247 5434 | PO Box 4244 Manuka ACT 2602 Page 7 of 21
Th e se se c o n d a ry la w s p ro vid e d d e t a ile d ru le s g o ve rn in g h u m a n -a n im a l in t e ra c t io n s a n d in d u st ry p ra c t ic e s.

D e sp it e t h is, t h e re h a s b e e n n o c o m p re h e n sive re vie w o f t h e se su b o rd in a t e la w s.
ALRTA a rg u e t h a t t h is st a t e -b a se d syst e m le a d s t o a fra g m e n t e d , c o m p le x, a n d in c o n sist e n t re g u la t o ry fra m e w o rk . It c a u se s p u b lic c o n fu sio n , h in d e rs n a t io n a l d a t a c o lle c t io n , a n d la c k s a u n ifie d a p p ro a c h t o a n im a l p ro t e c t io n .

Co n se q u e n t ly, ALRTA a d vo c a t e s fo r a m o re u n ifo rm n a t io n a l a p p ro a c h t o a n im a l w e lfa re le g isla t io n , a s it w o u ld re so lve t h e se issu e s in p rin c ip le .

Do c u m e n t J u r is d ic t io n D e t a ils

Au s t ra lia n An im a l W e lfa re Na t io n a l En d o rs e d Se p t 20 12. St a n d a rd s
St a n d a rd s & Gu id e lin e s – La n d re la t e d t o live s t o c k u n d e rt a k in g
Tra n s p o rt o f Live s t o c k t h e p ro c e s s o f la n d t ra n sp o rt b y
ro a d o r ra il in c lu d in g p ro vis io n s
fo r a ll a s p e c t s .
Au s t ra lia n An im a l W e lfa re Ma y-14
St a n d a rd s & Gu id e lin e s fo r
c a t t le
Au s t ra lia n An im a l W e lfa re Ma y-24
St a n d a rd s & Gu id e lin e s fo r
sh e e p
Au s t ra lia n An im a l W e lfa re 20 17
St a n d a rd s & Gu id e lin e s –
Live s t o c k a t Sa le ya rd s &
De p o t s
Au s t ra lia n An im a l W e lfa re In d e ve lo p m e n t
St a n d a rd s & Gu id e lin e s –
Live s t o c k a t P ro c e s s in g
Es t a b lis h m e n t s
Au s t ra lia n An im a l W e lfa re En d o rs e d J u ly 20 23
St a n d a rd s & Gu id e lin e s –
P o u lt ry
Vic t o ria n Live s t o c k Vic t o ria P ro vid e s t h e le g is la t ive
Ma n a g e m e n t Ac t 20 10 fra m e w o rk fo r in t e g ra t in g
a g re e d live s t o c k m a n a g e m e n t
St a n d a rd s a n d e n s u rin g
c o m p lia n c e .
P re ve n t io n o f Cru e lt y t o In c u rre n t re vie w . P re ve n t
An im a ls Ac t 19 8 6 c ru e lt y t o a n im a ls , e n c o u ra g e
t h e c o n s id e ra t e t re a t m e n t o f
a n im a ls a n d im p ro ve t h e le ve l
o f c o m m u n it y a w a re n e s s a b o u t
t h e p re ve n t io n o f c ru e lt y t o
a n im a ls .
Vic t o ria n St a n d a rd s a n d Re vis io n 1, 20 12. P ro vid e s
Gu id e lin e s fo r t h e W e lfa re o f s u p p o rt fo r a s s e s s in g a n d
P ig s d e m o n s t ra t in g h ig h le ve ls o f
c o m p lia n c e w it h g o o d fa rm in g
p ra c t ic e s .

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA)
www.alrta.org.au office@alrta.org.au | 02 6247 5434 | PO Box 4244 Manuka ACT 2602 Page 8 of 21
Do c u m e n t J u r is d ic t io n D e t a ils

P re ve n t io n o f Cru e lt y t o Aim t o p ro t e c t t h e w e lfa re o f
An im a ls Re g u la t io n s 20 19 a n im a ls in Vic t o ria . Th e y
o p e ra t e u n d e r t h e P O CTA Ac t
a n d s u p p o rt t h e le g is la t io n t o
p re ve n t o r m in im ize h a rm
t h ro u g h re g u la t io n o f sp e c ific
a c t ivit ie s in c lu d in g t ra n sp o rt o f
a n im a ls
P re ve n t io n o f Cru e lt y t o Th e s e re g u la t io n s p ro vid e fo r
An im a ls (D o m e s t ic Fo w l) t h e c o n d it io n s u n d e r w h ic h
Re g u la t io n s 20 16 d o m e s t ic fo w l (c h ic k e n s ) a re
h ou se d .
Co d e o f Ac c e p t e d Fa rm in g Aim o f t h e c o d e is t o p ro m o t e
P ra c t ic e fo r t h e W e lfa re o f h u m a n e a n d c o n s id e ra t e
Ca t t le t re a t m e n t o f c a t t le , a n d t h e u s e
o f g o o d h u s b a n d ry p ra c t ic e s t o
e n s u re w e lfa re o f c a t t le in a ll
t yp e s o f c a t t le fa rm in g
e n t e rp rise . To in fo rm a ll p e o p le
o f t h e ir re s p o n s ib ilit ie s
P re ve n t io n o f Cru e lt y t o Ne w So u t h W a le s P re ve n t c ru e lt y t o a n im a ls ,
An im a l Ac t 19 7 9 p ro m o t e w e lfa re b y re q u irin g
t h e p e rs o n in c h a rg e t o p ro vid e
c a re , t re a t in h u m a n e m a n n e r,
e n s u re w e lfa re , re q u irin g
in fo rm a t io n a b o u t c a t s a n d
d o g s w h e n t h e y a re a d ve rt is e d
fo r sa le i.e . m ic ro c h ip
P re ve n t io n o f Cru e lt y t o W e lfa re a re a s c o ve re d a re
An im a l Re g u la t io n s 20 12 c o n fin e m e n t o f fo w l fo r e g g
p ro d u c t io n , la yin g fo w l, d a ily
w e lfa re , o ffe n c e s , p ro c e d u re s
u n d e rt a ke n o n a n im a ls , a n im a l
t ra d e s , e n fo rc e m e n t , p ro h ib it e d
d e vic e s , e xc e p t io n s , c o n ve ya n c e
o f s t o c k , u s e in film s a n d t h e a t re
An im a l W e lfa re Ac t 19 8 2 Au s t ra lia n Ca p it a l Te rrit o ry Re g u la t e o ffe n c e s s u c h a s
(19 9 2) a n im a l c ru e lt y. Ra n g e o f
- An im a l W e lfa re Re g u la t io n s e n fo rc e m e n t p o w e rs t o
p ro m o t e a n d m o n it o r
a c c e p t a b le s t a n d a rd s o f c a re
a n d p ro t e c t a n im a ls fro m
c ru e lt y o r w e lfa re o ffe n c e s .
An im a l W e lfa re Ac t 19 9 9 No rt h e rn Te rrit o ry To e n s u re a n im a ls a re t re a t e d
h u m a n e ly, p re ve n t c ru e lt y,
p ro m o t e c o m m u n it y a w a re n e ss
a b o u t t h e w e lfa re o f a n im a ls .
An im a l W e lfa re P ro t e c t io n To e n s u re a n im a ls a re t re a t e d
Ac t 20 18 h u m a n e ly, p re ve n t c ru e lt y,
p ro m o t e c o m m u n it y a w a re n e ss
a b o u t t h e w e lfa re o f a n im a ls
a n d re g u la t e t h e a c t ivit ie s
p e rs o n s w h o u s e a n im a ls fo r
s c ie n t ific p u rp o se s

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) www.alrta.org.au office@alrta.org.au | 02 6247 5434 | PO Box 4244 Manuka ACT 2602 Page 9 of 21
Do c u m e n t J u r is d ic t io n D e t a ils

An im a l W e lfa re Re g u la t io n s O u t lin e s c a re a n d p ro t e c t io n
20 22 re q u ire m e n t s i.e . a d o p t io n o f 17
c o d e s o f p ra c t is e , c ru e lt y
c o n d u c t , la yin g p o is o n ,
p ro h ib it e d t ra p s , e xc lu d e d
d e vic e s , a d viso ry c o m m it t e e ,
s c ie n t ific u s e o f a n im a ls ,
o u t lin e s c o m p lia n c e a n d
e n fo rc e m e n t
An im a l Ca re & P ro t e c t io n Ac t Q u e e n s la n d P ro m o t e t h e re s p o n s ib le c a re
20 0 1 a n d u s e o f a n im a ls , p ro vid e
s t a n d a rd s fo r t h e c a re a n d u s e
o f a n im a ls t h a t a c h ie ve a
re a s o n a b le b a la n c e b e t w e e n
t h e w e lfa re o f a n im a ls a n d t h e
in t e re s t s o f p e rs o n s w h o se
live lih o o d is d e p e n d e n t o n
a n im a ls a n d a llo w fo r e ffe c t o f
a d va n c e m e n t in sc ie n t ific
k n o w le d g e a b o u t a n im a l
b io lo g y a n d c h a n g e s in
c o m m u n it y e xp e c t a t io n s a b o u t
p ra c t is e s in vo lvin g a n im a ls .
P ro t e c t a n im a ls fro m
u n ju s t ifia b le , u n n e c e ss a ry o r
u n re a s o n a b le p a in a n d e n s u re
t h e u s e o f a n im a ls fo r sc ie n t ific
p u rp o s e s is a c c o u n t a b le , o p e n
a n d re a so n a b le .
An im a l Ca re & P ro t e c t io n O u t lin e s t h e 20 c o d e s o f
Re g u la t io n 20 12 p ra c t is e t h a t d e fin e t h e
s t a n d a rd s fo r in d ivid u a l sp e c ie s
a n d a n im a l t yp e s . Co d e s
c o n t a in g u id e lin e s a n d
in fo rm a t io n a b o u t t h e
c o n s id e ra t e a n d h u m a n e
t re a t m e n t o f a n im a ls
An im a l W e lfa re Ac t 19 8 5 So u t h Au s t ra lia Fo r t h e P ro m o t io n o f a n im a l
w e lfa re a n d fo r o t h e r p u rp o s e s.

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Do c u m e n t J u r is d ic t io n D e t a ils

An im a l W e lfa re Re g u la t io n s Re g u la t e m a t t e rs re la t in g t o
20 12 Live s t o c k . D e fin e in d u s t ry
- Live s t o c k Ac t 19 9 7 in vo lve m e n t in re g u la t io n ,
- Live s t o c k Re g u la t io n s 20 13 in d u s t ry c o d e s o f p ra c t is e ,
re g is t ra t io n re q u ire m e n t s fo r
live s t o c k , AI b re e d in g
re q u ire m e n t s, ID & P IC c o d e s ,
c o n d it io n s o f h e a lt h , re s t ric t io n s
o n e n t ry o r m o ve m e n t o f
live s t o c k , c o n t ro l o r e ra d ic a t io n
o f d is e a s e o r c o n t a m in a t io n ,
im p lie d c o n t ra c t u a l t e rm s a n d
c o n d it io n s a s t o h e a lt h o f
live s t o c k , lia b ilit y, e xo t ic d is e a s e
fu n d , sp e c ia l p ro vis io n s fo r b e e s,
b ra n d s , e n fo rc e m e n t ,
c o m p lia n c e a n d p u b lic w a rn in g
sta te m e n ts.
An im a l W e lfa re Ac t 19 9 3 Ta s m a n ia Ac t p re ve n t s n e g le c t o f, a n d
- An im a l W e lfa re (La n d c ru e lt y t o , a n im a ls , t o e n su re
Tra n s p o rt o f Live s t o c k ) t h e w e lfa re o f a n im a ls .
Re g u la t io n s 20 13 Re g u la t io n s le g is la t e t h e
- Tra n s p o rt o f Live s t o c k a c ro ss St a n d a rd s a n d c o ve r w h o is
Ba s s St ra it re s p o n s ib le fo r live s t o c k w h e n
- An im a l W e lfa re (D o g ) t ra n s p o rt e d , fit t o lo a d ,
Re g u la t io n s 20 16 p re p a ra t io n fo r t ra n s p o rt ,
- An im a l W e lfa re (D o m e st ic p la n n in g t h e jo u rn e y, t im e o ff
P o u lt ry) Re g u la t io n s 20 13 fe e d a n d w a t e r. Th is is o u t lin e in
- An im a l W e lfa re (Ge n e ra l) Tra n s p o rt o f Live s t o c k a c ro s s
Re g u la t io n s 20 13 Ba s s St ra it g u id e lin e s .
- An im a l W e lfa re (P ig s )
Re g u la t io n s 20 13
An im a l W e lfa re Ac t 20 0 2 W e s t e rn Au s t ra lia Ac t p ro m o t e s a n d p ro t e c t s t h e
w e lfa re , s a fe t y a n d h e a lt h o f
In c lu d in g s p e c ific a lly 3 o f 4 a n im a ls , e n s u re s t h e p ro p e r a n d
s u b s id ia ry le g is la t io n u n d e r t h e h u m a n e c a re a n d m a n a g e m e n t
Ac t o f a ll a n im a ls in a c c o rd a n c e
- An im a l W e lfa re (Ge n e ra l) w it h g e n e ra lly a c c e p t e d
Re g u la t io n s 20 0 3 s t a n d a rd s a n d re fle c t s t h e
- An im a l W e lfa re (Co m m e rc ia l c o m m u n it ie s ’ e xp e c t a t io n s t h a t
P o u lt ry) Re g u la t io n s 20 0 8 p e o p le w h o a re in c h a rg e o f
- An im a l W e lfa re (P ig In d u s t ry) a n im a ls e n s u re t h e y h a ve t h e
Re g u la t io n s 20 10 p ro p e r c a re a n d t re a t m e n t .

Re p u t a t io n , Re c o g n it io n a n d Ac c re d it a t io n
Recognition as a Profession
Th e a b se n c e o f fo rm a l re c o g n it io n o f live st o c k d rive rs’ skills a n d kn o w le d g e in im p le m e n t in g n a t io n a l a n im a l w e lfa re st a n d a rd s, e it h e r n a t io n a lly o r in a n y St a t e o r
Te rrit o ry, is im p a c t in g o n t h e live st o c k t ra n sp o rt in d u st ry's so c ia l lic e n c e a n d a b ilit y t o a t t ra c t e m p lo ye e s w it h t h e rig h t sk illse t .

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA)
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En su rin g a sk ille d w o rkfo rc e p ro fic ie n t in b e st p ra c t ic e s fo r a n im a l h a n d lin g a n d w e lfa re a sse ssm e n t re q u ire s o n g o in g in ve st m e n t in e d u c a t io n , t ra in in g a n d re t e n t io n st ra t e g ie s. Th e se a re n o t c u rre n t ly a va ila b le a n d n o t re c o g n ise d .

Th e AAW S sh o u ld c o n sid e r m in im u m t ra in in g a n d c o m p e t e n c y re q u ire m e n t s o f in d u st ry p a rt ic ip a n t s.

Industry-led accreditation
P a rt ic ip a t io n in in d u st ry-le d a c c re d it a t io n p ro g ra m s d e m o n st ra t e s c o m m it m e n t t o b e st p ra c t ic e s a n d d ist in g u ish e s t ra n sp o rt se rvic e s in t h e c o m p e t it ive m a rk e t p la c e , fo st e rin g t ru st a n d re lia b ilit y a m o n g st a ke h o ld e rs.

ALRTA is c u rre n t ly re vie w in g a n d re la u n c h in g ‘Tru c kCa re ’, a w o rld -c la ss An im a l
W e lfa re a n d Ha n d lin g Ac c re d it a t io n p ro g ra m fo r t h e ro a d t ra n sp o rt o f a n im a ls w it h in
Au st ra lia .

D AFF sh o u ld c o n sid e r h o w t h e se p ro g ra m s c a n c o m p le m e n t t h e AAW S a n d u n d e rp in t ra in in g a n d d e ve lo p m e n t a c ro ss t h e su p p ly c h a in .

Te c h n o lo g y a n d In n o va t io n
Em b ra c in g in n o va t ive t e c h n o lo g ie s fo r t ra n sp o rt m o n it o rin g a n d w e lfa re a sse ssm e n t e n h a n c e s o p e ra t io n a l e ffic ie n c y, c o m p lia n c e w it h re g u la t o ry st a n d a rd s, a n d o ve ra ll a n im a l w e lfa re o u t c o m e s, d rivin g c o n t in u o u s im p ro ve m e n t w it h in t h e in d u st ry.

Traffic Light Timing
O p t im ise d t ra ffic lig h t t im in g p la ys a sig n ific a n t ro le in e n h a n c in g t h e e ffic ie n c y o f live st o c k t ra n sp o rt o n u rb a n ro u t e s. Co o rd in a t e d t ra ffic sig n a ls t h a t a c c o m m o d a t e t h e slo w e r a c c e le ra t io n a n d b ra kin g c a p a b ilit ie s o f h e a vy live st o c k t ru c k s re d u c e t ra ve l t im e s a n d im p ro ve o ve ra ll t ra n sp o rt p ro d u c t ivit y.

Live st o c k t ra n sp o rt e rs b e n e fit fro m p re d ic t a b le t ra ffic flo w a n d a d va n c e d w a rn in g sig n a ls, w h ic h m in im ise s st o p s a n d st a rt s, t h e re b y m a in t a in in g c o n sist e n t a n im a l w e lfa re st a n d a rd s t h ro u g h o u t t h e jo u rn e y.

Th e re is a n o p p o rt u n it y fo r DAFF t o e m b ra c e t e c h n o lo g y t o im p ro ve a n im a l w e lfa re d u rin g t ra n sit .

Traceability Gaps
Th e re a re sig n ific a n t g a p s in t ra c e a b ilit y in live st o c k t ra n sp o rt a t io n , in c lu d in g t h e a b se n c e o f re a l-t im e a n im a l w e lfa re re p o rt in g syst e m s t o t ra c k fa c t o rs su c h a s p re - jo u rn e y t im e o ff fe e d a n d w a t e r w h ic h is e sse n t ia l fo r a c c u ra t e t ra n sp o rt p la n n in g .

Ad o p t in g a d va n c e d t e c h n o lo g ie s fo r re a l-t im e m o n it o rin g a n d d a t a c o lle c t io n p re se n t s lo g ist ic a l a n d fin a n c ia l h u rd le s d u e t o t h e h ig h c o st s o f in st a lla t io n a n d h ig h su b sc rip t io n c o st s.

Th e a b ilit y t o t ra c k a n d t h e re fo re a ssu re a n im a l w e lfa re fro m p a d d o c k t o p la t e sh o u ld b e a k e y p rio rit y fo r AAW S.

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Real-Time Data on Route Delays and Natural Disaster Plans
Ac c e ss t o re a l-t im e d a t a o n ro u t e d e la ys is e sse n t ia l fo r live st o c k t ra n sp o rt e rs t o m a ke in fo rm e d d e c isio n s a n d p la n ro u t e s e ffe c t ive ly. Th is in fo rm a t io n a llo w s a vo id a n c e o f c o n g e st e d a re a s o r in c id e n t s t h a t c o u ld d e la y t h e jo u rn e y, e n su rin g t im e ly d e live ry a n d e n su rin g b e st p ra c t ic e a n im a l w e lfa re .

Ad d it io n a lly, ro b u st n a t u ra l d isa st e r p la n s a re c rit ic a l t o m it ig a t e risk s d u rin g e m e rg e n c ie s su c h a s b u sh fire s, flo o d s, o r se ve re w e a t h e r e ve n t s. P ro a c t ive p la n n in g e n su re s t h e sa fe t y o f b o t h live st o c k a n d t ra n sp o rt o p e ra t o rs, e n a b lin g sw ift re sp o n se s a n d a lt e rn a t ive ro u t e s w h e n n e c e ssa ry. Be st p ra c t ic e a n im a l w e lfa re o u t c o m e s a re a c h ie ve d w h e n a ll p a rt ie s w o rk t o g e t h e r b e fo re a d isa st e r o c c u rs.

Th e Live s t o c k Tra n s p o rt Ta s k
Flexible Journey Planning
Effe c t ive jo u rn e y p la n n in g a ro u n d w e a t h e r c o n d it io n s is c ru c ia l t o m a in t a in in g a n im a l w e lfa re d u rin g t ra n sp o rt . Ext re m e t e m p e ra t u re s, h ig h h u m id it y, o r a d ve rse w e a t h e r e ve n t s c a n a d ve rse ly a ffe c t live st o c k h e a lt h a n d w e ll-b e in g d u rin g t ra n sp o rt .

Th e la c k o f fle xib ilit y in d rivin g h o u rs d u e t o re g u la t o ry c o n st ra in t s (He a vy Ve h ic le
Na t io n a l La w Fa t ig u e Re g u la t io n s) p o se c h a lle n g e s in a d a p t in g t o u n fo re se e n w e a t h e r a n d t ra ffic c h a n g e s.

Fle xib ilit y in sc h e d u lin g a n d re g u la t o ry fra m e w o rk s t h a t p rio rit ise a n im a l w e lfa re e n a b le t ra n sp o rt e rs t o a d ju st ro u t e s o r d e la y t ra ve l w h e n c o n d it io n s a re u n fa vo u ra b le , e n su rin g o p t im a l c o n d it io n s fo r live st o c k t h ro u g h o u t t h e jo u rn e y.

Th e AAW S sh o u ld c o n sid e r p o lic ie s t h a t c a re fu lly b a la n c e a n im a l w e lfa re , ro a d sa fe t y, ro a d q u a lit y a n d in fra st ru c t u re .

Sharing the Road with Livestock Trucks
Live st o c k t ra n sp o rt e rs fa c e c h a lle n g e s in sh a rin g t h e ro a d w it h o t h e r ve h ic le s d u e t o t h e u n iq u e h a n d lin g c h a ra c t e rist ic s a n d slo w e r sp e e d s o f live st o c k t ru c k s in u rb a n a re a s a n d in t e rse c t io n s. Ad d it io n a lly, h e a vy b ra k in g m a n o e u vre s t o a vo id in c id e n t s w it h o t h e r ro a d u se rs c a n le a d t o st re ss a n d d isc o m fo rt fo r a n im a ls in t ra n sit .

In c re a sin g a w a re n e ss a n d e d u c a t io n a m o n g a ll ro a d u se rs a b o u t t h e p re se n c e a n d sp e c ific n e e d s o f live st o c k t ra n sp o rt ve h ic le s c a n im p ro ve sa fe t y a n d re d u c e t h e lik e lih o o d o f a c c id e n t s. Cle a r sig n a g e , ro a d m a rk in g s, a n d p u b lic a w a re n e ss c a m p a ig n s c o n t rib u t e t o sa fe r in t e ra c t io n s o n sh a re d ro a d w a ys, b e n e fit in g b o t h live st o c k t ra n sp o rt e rs a n d o t h e r m o t o rist s.

D AFF sh o u ld p rio rit ise p u b lic m e ssa g in g , a w a re n e ss a n d e d u c a t io n . Th is c o u ld b e a c h ie ve d t h ro u g h t h e c u rre n t lig h t ve h ic le lic e n c in g p ro c e ss.

Fit to Load and Penning Density
En su rin g live st o c k a re fit t o lo a d is e sse n t ia l t o c o m p ly w it h a n im a l w e lfa re st a n d a rd s a n d re g u la t o ry re q u ire m e n t s.

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA)
www.alrta.org.au office@alrta.org.au | 02 6247 5434 | PO Box 4244 Manuka ACT 2602 Page 13 of 21
Th e p re -t ra n sp o rt w e ig h t o f t h e a n im a ls a n d t im e o ff fe e d a n d w a t e r in fo rm a t io n e n su re s a c c u ra t e lo a d in g d e n sit ie s t h a t p re ve n t o ve rc ro w d in g a n d e n su re a d e q u a t e sp a c e a n d c o m fo rt fo r a n im a ls d u rin g t ra n sit . Th is in fo rm a t io n a lso a ssist s o p e ra t o rs t o m a k e a c c u ra t e d e c isio n s o n jo u rn e y le n g t h a n d sp e llin g re q u ire m e n t s.

Th is in fo rm a t io n c o u ld b e in c o rp o ra t e d o n t h e e xc it in g Na t io n a l Ve n d o r D e c la ra t io n
(NVD ) t h a t a c c o m p a n ie s t h e a n im a ls d u rin g t ra n sp o rt .

Mo n it o rin g a n d a d ju st in g p e n n in g d e n sit y b a se d o n a n im a l size , w e ig h t , jo u rn e y, a n d sp e c ie s-sp e c ific n e e d s p ro m o t e s o p t im a l w e lfa re c o n d it io n s t h ro u g h o u t t h e jo u rn e y.
Co m p lia n c e w it h fit -t o -lo a d g u id e lin e s a n d p ro p e r p e n n in g p ra c t ic e s d e m o n st ra t e s t h e live st o c k t ra n sp o rt in d u st rie s c o m m it m e n t t o a n im a l w e lfa re a n d re g u la t o ry c o m p lia n c e .

D a t a c o lle c t io n a n d re c o rd s m a n a g e m e n t p ra c t ic e s sh o u ld b e p rio rit ise d fo r re fo rm .

En viro n m e n t , B io s e c u rit y a n d D is e a s e
Extreme Weather Events
Ext re m e w e a t h e r e ve n t s im p a c t a ll a n im a ls a n d life o n e a rt h . D e ve lo p in g st ra t e g ie s fo r m it ig a t in g t h e d ire c t e ffe c t s o f e xt re m e w e a t h e r e ve n t s o n a n im a ls w ill b e im p o rt a n t fo r a ll a n im a l se c t o rs. It w ill a lso b e im p o rt a n t fo r a n im a l w e lfa re t o b e fa c t o re d in t o b ro a d e r so c ie t a l e xt re m e w e a t h e r e ve n t m it ig a t io n a n d a d a p t io n st ra t e g ie s.

Biosecurity
Bio se c u rit y is a n o t h e r k e y fa c t o r t h a t h a s t h e p o t e n t ia l t o a ffe c t a ll a n im a ls, b o t h in t e rm s o f t h e d ire c t c o n se q u e n c e s o f a b io se c u rit y in c u rsio n b u t a lso t h e m e a su re s e m p lo ye d t o p re ve n t a n d re sp o n d t o su c h in c u rsio n s. D AFF sh o u ld e n su re t h a t a n im a l w e lfa re is fa c t o re d in t o p re ve n t io n a n d re sp o n se st ra t e g ie s via in ve st m e n t in t e c h n o lo g y a n d in fra st ru c t u re su c h a s t ru c k w a sh e s a n d e fflu e n t d u m p p o in t s b u ilt t o
Au st ra lia n St a n d a rd .

Disease
Th e m o ve m e n t o f live st o c k a n d t h e ir b y-p ro d u c t s (fa e c e s a n d u rin e ) c a n fa c ilit a t e t h e sp re a d o f d ise a se a ro u n d t h e c o u n t ry. D u rin g t ra n sp o rt a t io n , live st o c k c a n b e a t risk o f c o n t ra c t in g o r sp re a d in g in fe c t io u s d ise a se s b y d ire c t o r in d ire c t c o n t a c t . Th e
AAW S m u st d ire c t t h a t a c h a in o f st ric t b io se c u rit y m e a su re s b e im p le m e n t e d t o m a in t a in t h e h e a lt h a n d w e ll-b e in g o f live st o c k a t t h e p la c e o f lo a d in g , u n lo a d in g , a n d d u rin g t h e jo u rn e y.

In fra s t ru c t u re a n d In ve s t m e n t
In ve st in g in q u a lit y fa c ilit ie s su c h a s sp e llin g ya rd s, e fflu e n t d isp o sa l p o in t s, a n d t ru c k w a sh e s c a n sig n ific a n t ly e n h a n c e a n im a l w e lfa re d u rin g t ra n sp o rt . Th e se in ve st m e n t s su p p o rt h yg ie n e st a n d a rd s a n d re d u c e t h e b io se c u rit y risk a n d e n viro n m e n t a l im p a c t o f live st o c k t ra n sp o rt o p e ra t io n s, fo st e rin g su st a in a b le p ra c t ic e s.

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA)
www.alrta.org.au office@alrta.org.au | 02 6247 5434 | PO Box 4244 Manuka ACT 2602 Page 14 of 21
Ma n a g in g e fflu e n t in t h e su p p ly c h a in h a s a d ire c t c o n se q u e n c e t o a n im a l w e lfa re .
D AFF sh o u ld c o n sid e r a n im a l b ip ro d u c t s su c h a s e fflu e n t in t h e re vise d AAW S.

Insufficient Biosecurity Prioritisation
ALRTA re it e ra t e t h e n e e d fo r in ve st m e n t in q u a lit y live st o c k t ru c k w a sh fa c ilit ie s a n d e fflu e n t d isp o sa l syst e m s a lo n g m a jo r live st o c k fre ig h t ro u t e s t h ro u g h o u t Au st ra lia .
Th e se fa c ilit ie s e n su re ve h ic le s c a n b e c le a n e d re g u la rly t o a vo id c ro ss c o n t a m in a t io n b e t w e e n a n im a ls, re d u c e risk o f EAD s a n d t o lim it e fflu e n t sp ills o n ro a d w a ys.

W a sh in g o u t b e t w e e n e a c h live st o c k lo a d is c ru c ia l. Ho w e ve r, t h e p o o r p re p a ra t io n o f a n im a ls fo r t ra n sp o rt c a n re su lt in c le a n t ra ile rs b e in g fille d w it h e fflu e n t w it h in 1 h o u r o f t h e jo u rn e y c a u sin g a n im a l w e lfa re c h a lle n g e s (e .g ., slip p a g e s).

Th e AAW S sh o u ld a c kn o w le d g e t h e im p o rt a n c e o f ro a d sid e e fflu e n t d u m p p o in t s a n d a d vo c a t e fo r in ve st m e n t .

Road Infrastructure and Bridge Access
Live st o c k t ra n sp o rt e rs h e a vily re ly o n ro a d in fra st ru c t u re t o sa fe ly a n d e ffic ie n t ly m o ve a n im a ls a c ro ss va rio u s d ist a n c e s. Brid g e a c c e ss is c ru c ia l a s it e n su re s t h a t live st o c k t ru c ks c a n t ra ve rse w a t e r b o d ie s w it h o u t h e ig h t o r w e ig h t re st ric t io n s t h a t c o u ld o t h e rw ise d isru p t t h e jo u rn e y.

In ve st m e n t in b rid g e in fra st ru c t u re t h a t a c c o m m o d a t e s a ll size live st o c k t ra n sp o rt ve h ic le s e n h a n c e s ro u t e a c c e ssib ilit y a n d m in im ise s d e t o u rs, t h e re b y re d u c in g t ra ve l st re ss o n a n im a ls a n d o p t im isin g t ra n sp o rt e ffic ie n c y.

Enhanced Accessibility
Im p ro vin g la st -m ile a c c e ss fo r h ig h p ro d u c t ivit y ve h ic le s t o k e y a g ric u lt u ra l a re a s st re a m lin e s lo g ist ic s a n d re d u c e s st re ss o n live st o c k. Th is e n h a n c e m e n t fa c ilit a t e s sm o o t h e r t ra n sit io n s b e t w e e n fa rm s, fe e d lo t s, a n d p ro c e ssin g fa c ilit ie s, m in im isin g t ra n s p o rt d u ra t io n a n d a sso c ia t e d st re ss.

Accessibility to Maintained Yards 24/7
Ac c e ss t o w e ll-m a in t a in e d ya rd s e q u ip p e d t o h a n d le live st o c k a t a n y t im e o f d a y o r n ig h t is c rit ic a l fo r t ra n sp o rt e rs m a n a g in g va ryin g sc h e d u le s a n d u n e xp e c t e d d e la ys.
24 /7-ya rd a c c e ssib ilit y e n su re s t h a t live st o c k c a n b e sa fe ly u n lo a d e d , re st e d , a n d w a t e re d a n d fe d w h e n re q u ire d , m a in t a in in g t h e ir h e a lt h a n d w e lfa re .

Re g u la r ya rd m a in t e n a n c e e n c a p su la t e s e n su rin g c le a n w a t e r so u rc e s, a d e q u a t e fe e d in g fa c ilit ie s, c le a n p e n s a n d sh e lt e r t o a c c o m m o d a t e va ryin g w e a t h e r p a t t e rn s, e n su rin g o p t im a l c o n d it io n s fo r re st in g a n im a ls b e fo re c o n t in u in g t h e ir jo u rn e y.

Th e AAW S sh o u ld se e k im p ro ve d o ve rsig h t a n d re g u la r a u d it in g o f t h e se fa c ilit ie s t o e n su re t h a t t h e y a re fit fo r p u rp o se a n d m e e t b e st p ra c t ic e a n im a l w e lfa re st a n d a rd s.

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA)
www.alrta.org.au office@alrta.org.au | 02 6247 5434 | PO Box 4244 Manuka ACT 2602 Page 15 of 21
Ext e rn a l In flu e n c e s
Animal Welfare Commission

Th e e st a b lish m e n t o f a n a t io n a l An im a l W e lfa re Co m m issio n , a s re c o m m e n d e d b y t h e P ro d u c t ivit y Co m m issio n in 20 16 , w o u ld g re a t ly b e n e fit Au st ra lia 's a n im a l w e lfa re syst e m .

Th is in d e p e n d e n t a u t h o rit y w o u ld h a ve n u m e ro u s a d va n t a g e s, in c lu d in g c le a r in d e p e n d e n c e fro m p o lit ic a l a n d st a k e h o ld e r in t e re st s, re le va n t e xp e rt ise , o b je c t ive p rio rit isa t io n o f issu e s, c o m p re h e n sive re se a rc h c a p a b ilit ie s, a n d t h e a b ilit y t o t ra c k a n d re p o rt o n st a t e p ro g re ss.

Th e AAW S sh o u ld in it ia t e fo rm a t io n o f t h is c o m m issio n .

Public Perception and Stakeholder Expectations
Ad d re ssin g e vo lvin g c o m m u n it y va lu e s a n d e xp e c t a t io n s re g a rd in g a n im a l w e lfa re n e c e ssit a t e s t ra n sp a re n t c o m m u n ic a t io n a n d p ro a c t ive e n g a g e m e n t b e t w e e n g o ve rn m e n t a n d in d u st ry. P u b lic p e rc e p t io n a n d st a k e h o ld e r e xp e c t a t io n s re g a rd in g live st o c k t ra n sp o rt a re h e a vily in flu e n c e d b y c o n c e rn s o ve r a n im a l w e lfa re , e n viro n m e n t a l im p a c t , a n d re g u la t o ry c o m p lia n c e .

St a ke h o ld e rs, in c lu d in g g o ve rn m e n t s, in d u st ry, a n d c o n su m e rs, e xp e c t st ric t a d h e re n c e t o le g a l st a n d a rd s, e t h ic a l p ra c t ic e s, a n d t ra n sp a re n c y in o p e ra t io n s.

Co n t in u o u s im p ro ve m e n t t h ro u g h re se a rc h , in n o va t io n a n d d a t a c o lle c t io n (e .g ., t re n d s) is c ru c ia l t o m e e t e vo lvin g e xp e c t a t io n s a n d e n su re re sp o n sib le t ra n sp o rt p ra c t ic e s t h a t a lig n w it h so c ie t a l va lu e s a n d d e m a n d s fo r a n im a l w e lfa re , e n viro n m e n t a l su st a in a b ilit y, a n d p ro d u c t q u a lit y.

Th e AAW S sh o u ld e n a b le m o n it o rin g a n d t ra c kin g o f d a t a a n d t re n d s t o e n su re
Au st ra lia ’s a p p ro a c h t o a n im a l w e lfa re re m a in s re le va n t a n d c o n sist e n t w it h p u b lic va lu e s a n d e xp e c t a t io n s. Th is w ill a lso a ssist a n im a l-b a se d in d u st rie s in p la n n in g fo r fu t u re a d ju st m e n t s t o p ra c t ic e s t o p ro m o t e t h e ir su st a in a b ilit y.

Economic Viability
Ba la n c in g im p ro ve d w e lfa re st a n d a rd s w it h t h e e c o n o m ic re a lit ie s o f o p e ra t in g a c o m p e t it ive t ra n sp o rt b u sin e ss re m a in s a p e rsist e n t c h a lle n g e . Ca lc u la t io n s u se d b y se c t io n s o f t h e su p p ly c h a in a ro u n d fin a n c ia l b e n e fit s fo r p ro d u c e rs ra isin g c h a lle n g e s fo r o p e ra t o rs a ro u n d a n im a l w e lfa re in t ra n sit (e .g ., a llo w a n c e o f 5% sh rin k a g e ).

Th e a llo w a n c e o f 5% is a w e ll-k n o w n p ra c t ic e in in d u st ry w h e re b y so m e a g e n t s p a y p ro d u c e rs fo r e a c h a n im a l b a se d o n t h e ir w e ig h t le ss 5%. Th is o ft e n le a d s t o p ro d u c e rs n o t p re p a rin g t h e ir a n im a ls p ro p e rly fo r t ra n sp o rt , fo r e xa m p le fillin g t h e a n im a ls w it h w a t e r t o m a xim ise t h e ir w e ig h t a t t h e p o in t o f sa le .

ALRTA c o n sid e r t h a t t h is p ra c t ic e sh o u ld b e b a n n e d a n d t h e e m p h a sis p la c e d in st e a d o n e n su rin g ro b u st p re -t ra n sp o rt live st o c k p re p a ra t io n a c t ivit ie s.

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA)
www.alrta.org.au office@alrta.org.au | 02 6247 5434 | PO Box 4244 Manuka ACT 2602 Page 16 of 21
Public Engagement and Trust
Bu ild in g p u b lic t ru st t h ro u g h t ra n sp a re n t c o m m u n ic a t io n a n d p ro a c t ive a n im a l w e lfa re e ffo rt s st re n g t h e n s t h e in d u st ry's so c ia l lic e n c e t o o p e ra t e , a lig n in g w it h e vo lvin g c o m m u n it y e xp e c t a t io n s a n d e n h a n c in g lo n g -t e rm su st a in a b ilit y.

Inconsistent Messaging and Language
Cle a r c o m m u n ic a t io n is vit a l fo r c o n ve yin g a c c u ra t e in fo rm a t io n a n d a vo id in g m isu n d e rst a n d in g s o r m isin t e rp re t a t io n s. Ad d it io n a lly, c o n sist e n c y in c le a r c o m m u n ic a t io n b u ild s t ru st a n d c re d ib ilit y.

It is t h e re fo re im p e ra t ive t h a t c o n sist e n t m e ssa g in g a n d la n g u a g e is u se d w h e n sh a rin g in fo rm a t io n o n a n im a l w e lfa re . Cu rre n t ly, t h e re a re t o o m a n y so u rc e s fo r t h is m e s sa g in g .

A g o a l o f t h e AAW S sh o u ld b e t o a d o p t a sin g le so u rc e o f in fo rm a t io n a n d t h e re fo re c le a r, c o n sist e n t , a n d c re d ib le m e ssa g in g .

Education, Training and Development
In ve st in g in c o n t in u o u s e d u c a t io n , t ra in in g a n d d e ve lo p m e n t p ro g ra m s fo r live st o c k o p e ra t o rs e n su re s a d h e re n c e t o b e st p ra c t ic e s a n d c u lt iva t e s a c u lt u re o f a n im a l w e lfa re e xc e lle n c e .

Th e se p ro g ra m s c a n e q u ip o p e ra t o rs w it h t h e sk ills a n d kn o w le d g e n e c e ssa ry t o re sp o n sib ly a n d e ffe c t ive ly h a n d le live st o c k t h ro u g h o u t t h e ir jo u rn e y, e n h a n c in g p ro fe ssio n a lism a n d in d u st ry st a n d a rd s.

International Trade and Market Access
En h a n c in g Au st ra lia 's re p u t a t io n fo r h ig h a n im a l w e lfa re st a n d a rd s c a n im p ro ve e xp o rt o p p o rt u n it ie s a n d st re n g t h e n g lo b a l t ra d e re la t io n sh ip s, p o sit io n in g t h e in d u st ry a s a le a d e r in e t h ic a l live st o c k t ra n sp o rt p ra c t ic e s.

Th is sh o u ld b e a p rio rit y o f t h e AAW S.

Research Collaboration
Co lla b o ra t in g w it h t h e re se a rc h c o m m u n it y t o a d va n c e t ra n sp o rt p ra c t ic e s a n d t e c h n o lo g ie s t o yie ld p ra c t ic a l so lu t io n s t h a t b e n e fit b o t h a n im a ls a n d t h e in d u st ry, e n su rin g o n g o in g in n o va t io n a n d im p ro ve m e n t . Cu rre n t p ro d u c t s a va ila b le lik e
Be e c h p o rt a n d Ge n e ra d e o ffe r so lu t io n s t h a t a ssist a n im a ls t o re m a in c a lm e r d u rin g h a n d lin g a n d t ra n sp o rt .

A c a lm e r a n im a l t ra ve ls b e t t e r. Ava ila b le p ro d u c t s a re n o t c o n sid e re d n e c e ssa ry fo r c o n su m e r d e m a n d b u t o ffe r m a n y b e n e fit s in c lu d in g d e c re a sin g sh rin k a g e d u rin g t ra n sp o rt a t io n , a n im a ls e m p t y o u t le ss o n t h e t ru c k , re d u c in g d a rk c u t t e rs, g e t t in g a n im a ls b a c k o n t o fe e d a n d w a t e r m o re e ffic ie n t ly, a n im a ls re m a in in g h yd ra t e d a n d re t a in in g m o ist u re .

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ALRTA Re s p o n s e s t o Co n s u lt a t io n Q u e s t io n s
Q u e s t io n 1. Do e s t h is v is io n s t a t e m e n t re fle c t e ve ry t h in g yo u fe e l a n Au s t ra lia n
An im a l W e lfa re St ra t e g y s h o u ld a im t o a c h ie ve ?

Th e vis io n fo c u sse s o n t h e st ra t e g y’s fu n c t io n ra t h e r t h a n t h e fu t u re it se e ks t o c re a t e .
Ad d it io n a lly, t h e visio n d o e s n o t in c lu d e su ffic ie n t re fe re n c e t o im p ro ve d w e lfa re o u t c o m e s, w h ic h ALRTA c o n sid e r a s t h e c o re p rio rit y o f a n a n im a l w e lfa re st ra t e g y.
Th e visio n sh o u ld in c lu d e t h e g o a l o f e n h a n c e d a n im a l w e lfa re .

Q u e s t io n 1a . Is t h e re a n y t h in g e ls e it s h o u ld in c lu d e ?

ALRTA c o n sid e rs t h a t t h e d e ve lo p m e n t a n d im p le m e n t a t io n o f t h e st ra t e g y n e e d s t o b e u n d e rp in n e d b y sc ie n c e a n d b e e vid e n c e d -b a se d . Th e st ra t e g y c a n n o t b e d rive n b y id e o lo g y o r p o lit ic a l m o t iva t io n s.

D AFF sh o u ld p ro vid e c la rit y o n w h a t c o n st it u t e s ‘c o m m u n it y e xp e c t a t io n s’ a s t h is c o u ld le a d t o t h e AAW S b e in g b a se d o n e m o t io n a n d p h ilo so p h y ra t h e r t h a n sc ie n c e a n d e vid e n c e . ALRTA a g re e s t h a t c o m m u n it y p e rc e p t io n is im p o rt a n t , h o w e ve r, t h e re is a ro le fo r g o ve rn m e n t s a n d in d u st ry t o e d u c a t e c o m m u n it ie s o n Au st ra lia ’s w o rld -le a d in g a n im a l w e lfa re st a n d a rd s a n d p ra c t ic e s.

Q u e s t io n 2. D o t h e p ro p o s e d s t re a m s c o ve r t h e rig h t p rio rit y a re a s fo r t h e s t ra t e g y ?

Th e p ro p o se d w o rk st re a m s a re e sse n t ia l fo r t h e p ro p e r fu n c t io n in g o f t h e AAW S.

 ALRTA a g re e t h a t t h e Le a d e rsh ip a n d Co o rd in a t io n w o rk st re a m sh o u ld b e
fo c u se d o n e n su rin g t h e g o ve rn a n c e a rra n g e m e n t s a re in d e p e n d e n t o f
c o n flic t in g c o m m e rc ia l in t e re st a n d t h a t t h e rig h t p e rso n n e l a re id e n t ifie d t o
p ro vid e t h e le a d e rsh ip re q u ire d t o b rin g ju risd ic t io n s a n d st a k e h o ld e rs
t o g e t h e r w it h a c o m m o n p u rp o se t o d rive n a t io n a lly c o o p e ra t ive p ro g re ss.

 ALRTA e xp e c t t h e Re se a rc h a n d D e ve lo p m e n t w o rk st re a m t o b e w e ll-
su p p o rt e d b y a d e q u a t e le ve ls o f g o ve rn m e n t fu n d in g t o p ro m o t e
in d e p e n d e n t re se a rc h fre e o f in d u st ry fu n d in g .

 ALRTA e xp e c t t h e Ed u c a t io n a n d Co m m u n ic a t io n w o rk st re a m t o fo c u s o n
p ro m o t in g c o m m u n it y a n d in d u st ry o u t re a c h a c t ivit ie s t o e n su re p e o p le a re
fa m ilia r w it h t h e ir le g a l o b lig a t io n s t o a n im a ls a n d a re m a d e a w a re o f
o p p o rt u n it ie s t o im p ro ve w e lfa re o u t c o m e s.

 Th e Re p o rt in g a n d Co m p lia n c e w o rk st re a m is e xt re m e ly im p o rt a n t t o t h e
e ffe c t ive fu n c t io n in g o f t h e AAW S a n d t o e n su re st a t e s a n d t e rrit o rie s d e live r
o n t h e ir re sp o n sib ilit y t o im p le m e n t n a t io n a lly a g re e d st a n d a rd s in a t im e ly
a n d c o n sist e n t m a n n e r.

 ALRTA e xp e c t t h e In t e rn a t io n a l En g a g e m e n t w o rk st re a m t o fo c u s o n
p ro m o t in g a n im a l w e lfa re t o t ra d e p a rt n e rs, p a rt ic u la rly in t h e n e g o t ia t io n o f
t ra d e a g re e m e n t s t o e n su re Au st ra lia ’s d o m e st ic st a n d a rd s o f p ro d u c t io n a re
n o t u n d e rm in e d b y c h e a p im p o rt s p ro d u c e d t o c o m p a ra t ive ly lo w e r st a n d a rd s,
o r c o n ve rse ly, t h a t Au st ra lia ’s e xp o rt s d o n o t u n d e rm in e a t ra d in g p a rt n e r’s
d o m e st ic st a n d a rd s in t h e e ve n t t h e ir st a n d a rd s a re h ig h e r t h a n o u r o w n .

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Q u e s t io n 2b . Are t h e re a n y p rio rit y a re a s w e fe e l a re n o t a p rio rit y a re a ?

W h ilst n o t c a lle d o u t e xp lic it ly in t h e st ra t e g y, live st o c k p ro d u c e r a sso c ia t io n s a re a lre a d y d e a lin g w it h su st a in a b ilit y issu e s re la t e d t o c lim a t e in t h e ir su st a in a b ilit y fra m e w o rk s a n d p la n s. Go ve rn m e n t s sh o u ld n o t se e k t o a d d re ss c lim a t e c h a n g e in a n An im a l
W e lfa re St ra t e g y.

Q u e s t io n 3. Are t h e re a n y s h a re d fa c t o rs a ffe c t in g a n im a l w e lfa re t h a t c u t a c ro s s a ll, o r m u lt ip le , a n im a l g ro u p s ? Fo r e xa m p le : Clim a t e c h a n g e , in n o v a t io n , w o rk fo rc e re t e n t io n .

Ext re m e w e a t h e r e ve n t s, b io se c u rit y, lo n g -t e rm t re n d s in p u b lic a t t it u d e s, va lu e s a n d b e lie fs a b o u t a n im a ls, a n d in fra st ru c t u re a re a ll sh a re d fa c t o rs t h a t a ffe c t a n im a l w e lfa re a c ro ss a ll a n im a l g ro u p s. Th e AAW S sh o u ld t a ke t h e se in t o c o n sid e ra t io n w h e n d e ve lo p in g m it ig a t io n a n d a d a p t io n st ra t e g ie s.

Ext re m e w e a t h e r e ve n t s c o m b in e d w it h fa c ilit ie s, b o t h ro a d sid e a n d fixe d , n o t e q u ip p e d t o m a n a g e a n im a l w e lfa re d u rin g t h e se e ve n t s is a lso a sh a re d fa c t o r a ffe c t in g a n im a l w e lfa re . As a n e xa m p le , m a n y sa le ya rd s d o n o t h a ve ro o f st ru c t u re s t o p ro t e c t a n im a ls d u rin g p e rio d s o f e xt re m e h e a t o r ra in e ve n t s.

Q u e s t io n 3a . Ho w c a n t h e Au s t ra lia n An im a l W e lfa re St ra t e g y a d d re s s t h e s e in a p ra c t ic a l w a y ?

Th e AAW S c a n su p p o rt t h e se o u t c o m e s in a p ra c t ic a l w a y b y e n su rin g t h a t a n y st ra t e g y im p le m e n t e d is n a t io n a lly c o n sist e n t , b a c k e d b y sc ie n c e a n d su p p o rt e d b y g o ve rn m e n t t o u n d e rp in in ve st m e n t in p ro g ra m s, p o lic ie s a n d in fra st ru c t u re t h a t su p p o rt s Au st ra lia ’s sa fe , su st a in a b le , a n d h u m a n e live st o c k p ro d u c t io n a n d su p p ly c h a in in d u st rie s.

Q u e s t io n 4 . W h a t d o y o u t h in k a re t h e b ig g e s t c h a lle n g e s fa c in g Au s t ra lia ’s a n im a l w e lfa re s ys t e m ?

Th e b ig g e st c h a lle n g e fa c in g Au st ra lia ’s a n im a l w e lfa re syst e m is it s la c k o f in d e p e n d e n t g o ve rn a n c e . Ag ric u lt u re m in ist e rs a n d d e p a rt m e n t s a re c u rre n t ly in a p o sit io n o f c o n flic t w h e n t h e y a re t a sk e d w it h m a k in g m a jo r p o lic y d e c isio n s o n a n im a l w e lfa re . Th is a rise s a s t h e sa m e re g u la t o ry b o d ie s a re re sp o n sib le fo r t h e p ro m o t io n o f t h e a g ric u lt u ra l in d u st ry b u t a lso re sp o n sib le fo r e n su rin g a n im a l w e lfa re st a n d a rd s.

Th is p re se n t s a sig n ific a n t b a rrie r t o t h e a d o p t io n o f st ro n g e r a n im a l w e lfa re st a n d a rd s, e ve n w h e n su c h st a n d a rd s re fle c t t h e la t e st sc ie n c e . Th is c o n flic t m u st b e a c k n o w le d g e d a n d d e a lt w it h b y p o lic ym a k e rs if Au st ra lia is t o d e sig n a p p ro p ria t e g o ve rn a n c e m o d e ls fo r a n im a l w e lfa re in t h e fu t u re a n d b e n e fit fro m t h e im p ro ve d st a n d a rd s t h e y p ro d u c e .

An o t h e r m a jo r c h a lle n g e t o Au st ra lia ’s a n im a l w e lfa re syst e m is t h e d isc o n n e c t b e t w e e n w h a t t h e c o m m u n it y e xp e c t s re g a rd in g a n im a l w e lfa re g o ve rn a n c e a n d w h a t t h e c u rre n t syst e m p ro vid e s. Allo w in g t h is d isc o n n e c t t o c o n t in u e le a d s t o d e c lin in g le ve ls o f c o n fid e n c e a n d in c re a sin g le ve ls o f d ist ru st in t h e syst e m .

Ad d it io n a lly, t h e a la rm in g in c re a se in a n im a l a c t ivism t h a t is in flu e n c in g p u b lic p o lic y is c o n c e rn in g . W h ile a c kn o w le d g in g t h e se g ro u p s a re p a rt o f t h e c o m m u n it y, t h e y

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a re o ft e n o p p o se d in m o st in st a n c e s t o live st o c k p ro d u c t io n . Th e ir t a c t ic s a re b e c o m in g in c re a sin g ly a g g re ssive in c lu d in g a t t a c kin g t ru c k d rive rs a t a b a t t o irs a n d o n t h e ro a d . Th e se in c id e n c e s c re a t e t e n sio n in t h e c o m m u n it y a n d t h e re fo re m o re n e e d s t o b e d o n e b y g o ve rn m e n t s t o m it ig a t e t h e se vo ic e s a n d in st e a d re ly o n in d u st ry a n d e vid e n c e -b a se d p ra c t ic e .

O t h e r ke y c h a lle n g e s in c lu d e :

 St a n d a rd s n o t b e in g a d o p t e d b y St a t e s a n d Te rrit o rie s (RAMP St a n d a rd )
 La c k o f t ra in in g a n d skills re c o g n it io n (Re c o g n it io n a s a P ro fe ssio n )
 Sig n ific a n t g a p s in t ra c e a b ilit y (Tra c e a b ilit y Ga p s)
 Co n flic t b e t w e e n t ra n sp o rt la w a n d a n im a l w e lfa re (Fle xib le J o u rn e y P la n n in g )
 La c k o f in fra st ru c t u re in ve st m e n t (In fra st ru c t u re a n d In ve st m e n t )
 P u b lic p e rc e p t io n (P u b lic P e rc e p t io n a n d St a ke h o ld e r Exp e c t a t io n s)
 La c k o f re se a rc h (Re se a rc h Co lla b o ra t io n )

Q u e s t io n 5. Are t h e re a d d it io n a l c h a lle n g e s in t h e a n im a l w e lfa re s ys t e m t h a t h a ve n o t b e e n lis t e d a b o ve , w h ic h t h e re n e w e d s t ra t e g y s h o u ld c o n s id e r?

In d u st ry is in c re a sin g ly se e in g a n im a l w e lfa re b e in g u se d a s a p a w n b y g o ve rn m e n t s.
An e xa m p le o f t h is w a s t h e re c e n t a n n o u n c e m e n t o f t h e p h a sin g o u t o f live sh e e p e xp o rt b y se a . Th is p h a se o u t w a s a n n o u n c e d a s a n e le c t io n c o m m it m e n t a n d w ill s e e t h e lo ss o f 30 -4 0 % o f W e st Au st ra lia n live st o c k t ra n sp o rt re ve n u e . It w a s p o lit ic a lly m o t iva t e d a n d ig n o re d t h e sc ie n c e t h a t d e m o n st ra t e s t h a t t h is t ra d e c o u ld c o n t in u e w it h st rin g e n t , e vid e n c e -b a se d re g u la t io n s, a s re c e n t ly e xe m p lifie d b y e xt re m e ly lo w m o rt a lit y ra t e s.

Q u e s t io n s 6 & 7 . W h a t d o yo u t h in k a re t h e b ig g e s t o p p o rt u n it ie s fo r Au s t ra lia ’s a n im a l w e lfa re s ys t e m ?

Au st ra lia is c o n sid e re d a le a d e r in a n im a l w e lfa re st a n d a rd s, a n d w e sh o u ld b e se e k in g c o n t in u o u s im p ro ve m e n t , b a se d o n sc ie n c e a n d e vid e n c e .

Th e re is sig n ific a n t a n d in c re a sin g re se a rc h in t o a n im a l p ro d u c t io n a n d w e lfa re . Th is re se a rc h sh o u ld c o n t in u e t o b e su p p o rt e d a n d u se d a s t h e b a sis o f a n y a n im a l w e lfa re p o lic y, p ro g ra m o r re c o m m e n d a t io n fa llin g o u t o f t h is st ra t e g y.

Th e e st a b lish m e n t o f a n a t io n a l An im a l W e lfa re Co m m issio n , a s re c o m m e n d e d b y t h e P ro d u c t ivit y Co m m issio n in 20 16 , w o u ld g re a t ly b e n e fit Au st ra lia 's a n im a l w e lfa re syst e m . Th is in d e p e n d e n t a u t h o rit y w o u ld h a ve n u m e ro u s a d va n t a g e s, in c lu d in g c le a r in d e p e n d e n c e fro m p o lit ic a l a n d st a k e h o ld e r in t e re st s, re le va n t e xp e rt ise , o b je c t ive p rio rit isa t io n o f issu e s, c o m p re h e n sive re se a rc h c a p a b ilit ie s, a n d t h e a b ilit y t o t ra c k a n d re p o rt o n st a t e p ro g re ss.

Ad d it io n a lly, p rio rit y sh o u ld b e g ive n t o in fra st ru c t u re in ve st m e n t t h a t su p p o rt g o o d a n im a l w e lfa re o u t c o m e s in c lu d in g a t sa le ya rd s, fe e d lo t s a n d p ro c e ssin g fa c ilit ie s.
Th is is c rit ic a l fo r t h e sa fe t y o f o p e ra t o rs a n d w e lfa re o f a n im a ls d u rin g t ra n sp o rt , lo a d in g a n d u n lo a d in g a n d is p ro ve n t o d e live r p ro d u c t ive , sa fe , a n d h u m a n e a n im a l w e lfa re o u t c o m e s.

O t h e r ke y o p p o rt u n it ie s in c lu d e :

 Re c o g n ise live st o c k t ra n sp o rt a s a p ro fe ssio n (Re c o g n it io n a s a P ro fe ssio n )

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA)
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 Ad o p t in d u st ry-le d a c c re d it a t io n p ro g ra m s (In d u st ry-le d a c c re d it a t io n )
 Em b ra c e in n o va t ive t e c h n o lo g ie s (Te c h n o lo g y a n d In n o va t io n )
 Im p ro ve d a t a c o lle c t io n (P u b lic P e rc e p t io n a n d St a k e h o ld e r Exp e c t a t io n s)
 In c re a se in ve st m e n t (In fra st ru c t u re a n d In ve st m e n t )
 In c re a se re se a rc h a n d d e ve lo p m e n t (Re se a rc h Co lla b o ra t io n )

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