Impacts of long transport distances for processing
Cathy Bunter, Livestock Welfare Compliance, Agriculture Victoria
The Livestock Welfare Compliance team have seen an increasing number of animal welfare incident reports from all Victorian and interstate abattoirs where the livestock have travelled very long distances. Invariably there has been an increase in the livestock disease, injuries and deaths as a result.
Livestock in Australia often travel many kilometres, in some cases even thousands of kilometres interstate, for processing. This long-distance travel may be appropriate where producers have long-standing contracts that need to be fulfilled or species-specific or specialised requirements that can only be met at a particular abattoir. However, there are many reasons why transporting animals over long distances is to be discouraged. Shorter transport for livestock has many benefits.
Better animal welfare
The likelihood of a livestock welfare incident increases with distance travelled for distances greater than 400 km and journeys longer than 30 hours duration. Shorter time and distance being transported reduces stress and lowers the risk of injury (such as fractured legs or wounds), disease and death.
Reducing the time off feed reduces the risk of metabolic diseases and nutritional disorders and the decline in the normal microbial population (gut flora) within the digestive tract. In contrast, stock which go for an extended period without feed have declining levels of normal gut flora and as a result are predisposed to disease causing bacteria such as salmonella.
Longer time off feed also predisposes them to metabolic disorders such as transit tetany (low calcium and/or magnesium) due to increasing demand for these minerals as a result of the prolonged transport process. There are also benefits for our biosecurity as there is less potential for the spread of infectious diseases between animals and farms.
Easier to meet designated transport standards
The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Land Transport of Livestock (which define requirements for livestock to be rested or fed during transport) are easier to meet for short distance travel.
Cattle
Table 1: Maximum time off water and minimum spelling periods for cattle
Class of cattle | Maximum time off water (hours) | Required |
|---|---|---|
Cattle over 6 months old | 48 | 36 |
Calves 30 days to 6 month old | 24 | 12 |
Lactating cows with calves at foot | 24 | 12 |
Calves 5 - 30 days old travelling without mothers | 18 | – |
Cows known to more than 6 months pregnant, excluding the last 4 weeks | 12 | 12 |
Sheep
Table 2: Maximum time off water and minimum spelling periods for sheep
Class of sheep | Maximum time off water (hours) | Required spell period (hours) |
|---|---|---|
Sheep over 4 months old | 48 | 36 |
Lambs under 4 months | 28 | 12 |
Ewes known to be more than 14 weeks pregnant, excluding the last 2 week | 24 | 12 |
Better meat quality
Less pre-slaughter stress results in improved meat quality – the meat is tenderer and consumer satisfaction is increased. There is also reduced liveweight loss (shrink) during shorter transport as the effects of dehydration and reduced feed intake are minimised. These heavier carcasses result in more money for the producer.
Greater environmental sustainability
Shorter transport distances result in less emissions and a lower carbon footprint for the livestock industry.
Industry benefits
Reducing transport distances results in a more resilient industry with a more efficient supply chain. Both environmental sustainability and industry efficiency are crucial for future growth and stability.
Shorter transport distances for livestock have many benefits both for the livestock themselves and our livestock industries.