Animal Welfare Standards + Guidelines — Land Transport of Livestock
National + state-implemented standards for road + rail transport of livestock.
State and territory law, not a Commonwealth law
The land transport standards are agreed nationally but have legal force only through each state and territory's animal welfare law, which is enforced by state agencies. Check the rules in each state or territory where you operate.
Who must comply
Everyone in charge of livestock moved by road or rail: consignors (owners and agents preparing stock), transporters and drivers, and receivers, including saleyards, spelling centres and transit centres that hold travelling stock. Heavy vehicle chain-of-responsibility duties for driver fatigue also extend to consignors and receivers.
What triggers it
Mustering, selecting, loading, carrying or receiving livestock for transport by road or rail.
When due
Before loading (fitness for the intended journey, holding periods, feed and water), throughout the journey (inspections, loading density, maximum time off water and minimum spell periods) and on arrival (care after unloading). Journeys longer than 24 hours need records showing when the livestock had access to water.
Evidence required
Records of fitness-for-journey selection and withdrawals; water access records for journeys over 24 hours; loading density assessments for each crate or container; journey inspection and spelling records; feeding records for cattle spelled in saleyards or transit centres; fatigue management records under the heavy vehicle chain of responsibility.
Max penalty
Breaches are enforced under each state or territory's animal welfare law, which gives the standards legal effect (for example, the duty of care under Queensland's Animal Care and Protection Act 2001), and fatigue breaches under the Heavy Vehicle National Law chain-of-responsibility provisions
Summary
The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock, endorsed in September 2012, replaced the separate model codes for cattle, horses, pigs, poultry and road and rail transport. The Commonwealth develops the standards with the states and territories, and each state or territory implements them in its own law; in Queensland, for example, the transport code is compulsory and any person in charge of an animal has a duty of care under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 before, during and after transport. Responsibility is shared along the chain: the consignor prepares and selects livestock that are fit for the intended journey, the transporter loads at an appropriate density, inspects and spells the animals, and the receiver cares for them after unloading. Livestock that are not fit for the journey must not be loaded.
Industries
Topics
Related
- CWLTHComply with Heavy Vehicle Chain of Responsibility (CoR)Every party in the heavy vehicle supply chain has a positive duty under HVNL.
- CWLTHComply with Rail Safety National Law (RSNL)Rail transport operators must be accredited under RSNL + maintain safety management.
- All statesState veterinary practice registration + animal welfare complianceVeterinarians registered by state vet boards; animal welfare regulated by state agriculture departments.
- All statesComply with state vehicle standards + registrationVehicle standards + registration administered by state road transport authorities.
Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with Animal Welfare Standards + Guidelines — Land Transport of Livestock?
- Everyone in charge of livestock moved by road or rail: consignors (owners and agents preparing stock), transporters and drivers, and receivers, including saleyards, spelling centres and transit centres that hold travelling stock. Heavy vehicle chain-of-responsibility duties for driver fatigue also extend to consignors and receivers.
- What triggers Animal Welfare Standards + Guidelines — Land Transport of Livestock?
- Mustering, selecting, loading, carrying or receiving livestock for transport by road or rail.
- When is Animal Welfare Standards + Guidelines — Land Transport of Livestock due?
- Before loading (fitness for the intended journey, holding periods, feed and water), throughout the journey (inspections, loading density, maximum time off water and minimum spell periods) and on arrival (care after unloading). Journeys longer than 24 hours need records showing when the livestock had access to water.
- What is the maximum penalty for Animal Welfare Standards + Guidelines — Land Transport of Livestock?
- Breaches are enforced under each state or territory's animal welfare law, which gives the standards legal effect (for example, the duty of care under Queensland's Animal Care and Protection Act 2001), and fatigue breaches under the Heavy Vehicle National Law chain-of-responsibility provisions
- What evidence is required for Animal Welfare Standards + Guidelines — Land Transport of Livestock?
- Records of fitness-for-journey selection and withdrawals; water access records for journeys over 24 hours; loading density assessments for each crate or container; journey inspection and spelling records; feeding records for cattle spelled in saleyards or transit centres; fatigue management records under the heavy vehicle chain of responsibility.
Source: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/animal/move/welfare/load. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.