Animal transport regulations changed

New animal welfare regulations are now in effect, providing an updated set of standards for the industry.
The updated regulations, based on national initiatives, feature changes to the requirements for horse transport and the introduction of regulations for bobby calf transport.
Bobby calves (less than 5 days old) must have thick bedding and room to lie down and be protected from cold and heat and be fit for the journey as a normal, full-term calf.
If over five days old they must be in good health, alert and able to rise from a lying position, be protected from cold and heat, fed within six hours of loading and not be moved with an electric prodder or a dog.
Fines for non-compliance are $660 for an individual or up to $3300 for a business.
Owen Rowlings of Tas Livestock Services is often commissioned to take bobby calves, usually to Tas Quality Meats at Cressy, and said he is yet to receive any notification of the new regulations, however he is used to inspectors being present upon delivery to check on animal welfare.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water Gavin Pearce said the Tasmanian Government is improving animal welfare outcomes and strengthening the State’s biosecurity while ensuring industries have contemporary regulations that allow them to get on with what they do best.
“The changes to horse transport regulations are based on the findings of a national review, which includes input from industry in Tasmania,” Mr Pearce said.
“Key changes relate to time of journey, fitness to travel, protection from extreme weather events and record keeping. 
“Animal Welfare Regulations for pigs will be reviewed in the future in line with a proposed national review of pig welfare standards.
Elesha Spillane of Tasmanian Horse Transport welcomed any strengthening of regulations and said that most of the changes are “common sense”.
“Most of it is about reduced times spent in transport, especially without water, but our horses all travel with water and the distances here are not great compared to interstate so the minimum times are still well above what we have and it won’t really affect us,” she said.
“I’d personally like to see more regulations around the management of horses before and after the transport stage.”
The updated livestock welfare regulations can be found on the Tasmanian legislation website.