Land transport standards Australian standards & guidelines for the welfare of animals: Land transport of livestock – public consultation

Background information on the major animal welfare issues relating to land transportation of farm animals

Introduction

The welfare of an animal relates to the extent to which the animal is able to cope (both physically and mentally) with its environment. When an animal is unable to cope, it is said to be stressed and this constitutes poor welfare.

Transport is stressful to farm animals because it involves social disruption, handling, water and food deprivation, and, sometimes, physical injury and exposure to extremes of temperature and humidity. Transported animals are mixed with unfamiliar animals, are in close confinement, and are confronted with novel situations.

The way in which farming is carried out in Australia raises several unique welfare problems. Farm animals from remote areas, for example, are often unused to human contact or handling. Animals may come from vast pastoral properties that cover several thousand square kilometres. Others are wild animals that are opportunistically harvested, such as feral goats, horses, camels and buffalo. Mustering these animals can be a large-scale operation involving the use of helicopters, small planes and vehicles on the ground. They are fearful of humans and have no previous experience of confinement and transport.

The combination of low-contact farming methods and the remoteness of many properties gives rise to the potential for serious welfare problems during the transport process.

Factors affecting welfare during animal handling and transport

A new experience

Transport is often a new experience for animals and therefore potentially stressful. The frequency of contact with humans also affects how animals cope with handling and transport. Animals that have had regular contact with humans are less affected by transport. Feral and extensively farmed animals, that have had a period of familiarisation with holding yards and human handling will be able to cope better with transport than those that are transported without a period of familiarisation.

Mixing with strangers

In holding yards and on-board vehicles, mixing of unfamiliar animals leads to an increase in aggressive behaviour as animals aim to re-establish social hierarchies. Not only may fighting cause injuries, the mixing of unfamiliar animals and associated aggression is another cause of stress and is best avoided by keeping animals in their social groups or by separating animals that are likely to be aggressive.

Loading and unloading

Loading and unloading are the most stressful part of the transport process. The stress being associated with the physical exertion of negotiating ramps as well as being forced into unfamiliar surroundings. If animals are injured during the process or if they are frightened by handlers or if electric prodders are used excessively, the stress response is exacerbated and will last several hours into the journey until eventually it declines. Designing facilities that encourage animals to naturally follow one another and training handlers to move animals using their natural flight zone are ways to significantly reduce the stress of loading and unloading.

Poor handling

Poor handling of animals as a result of poor attitude or lack of knowledge of animal behaviour can result in high levels of stress. Knowledge of animal behaviour is key to improving animal welfare during transport.

Space allowance

Once animals are on-board the vehicle, and there is sufficient space, animals will explore their surroundings and try to lie down. Often stocking density is such that there is not enough space for all animals to lie down. And, often the stopping and starting of the truck or poor driving means that the animals have to stand anyway with their legs slightly spread to maintain balance. Cattle, sheep, pigs and horses will prefer not to lean on other pen mates in order to maintain balance so can be quite affected by high stocking density and driving on winding roads. The trick is to get the right balance between stocking density and driver skill.

Time off water and food

Water and food deprivation before, during and after transport has physiological consequences and will affect the animal’s welfare – particularly because most farm animals are accustomed to feeding at regular intervals or having constant access to food and water. Depending on the length of the journey and prevailing temperature, animals may become dehydrated. Mid-journey rest stops may alleviate this but need to be of sufficient length to ensure all animals have had a chance to drink sufficiently, particularly if they also have access to feed.

Journey length

The longer the journey, the more animals will become tired and the more the lack of food and water as well as the transport conditions will affect their welfare. Because stress affects the immune system, the longer animals are transported the more susceptible they are to disease.

Conclusion

These and other factors relating to welfare need to be considered when planning a journey of any length, but particularly the longer journeys. In addition, regular inspection of all animals on the vehicle is needed to ensure that potential welfare problems are avoided.

The above information is derived from research that has been conducted into the effects of different aspects of the transport process on some of the major farm animal species. Most of this research has taken place in Europe and North America; however some has also been conducted here in Australia. With all these studies, it is important to note that the results apply to the specific class of animal and the specific conditions prevailing at the time of the study. Healthy animals transported under ideal conditions will cope better with the stressors of transport than those that are not as fit or than those travelling in extreme conditions.

RSPCA Australia believes that the drafting of national Standards & Guidelines for the welfare of animals during land transport is a positive development. However, all will be in vain if livestock and transport industries are unable to demonstrate that they meet the Standards, and if governments are unable to enforce them. It is therefore critical that state and territory governments adopt the endorsed Standards into legislation without delay to ensure consistent regulation of animal welfare during transport and improved animal welfare outcomes.

For further information:

RSPCA policies on transportation of animals: http://www.rspca.org.au/policy/f.asp 

RSPCA position papers on transportation of animals: http://www.rspca.org.au/policy/PositionF.asp

A report on long distance transport of Australian farm animals for slaughter: http://www.wspa.org.au/ldt_handlewithcare/images/x_images/publicfiles/Report_LDT.pdf 

A global report on long distance transport and welfare of farm animals (summary): http://www.handlewithcare.tv/reports/HwC_report_40pp.pdf