TruckSafe Animal Welfare Module Standards

Transcription

1 F.1 Management Procedures and Responsibilities Management have a described and documented system that meets the TruckSafe Animal Welfare module requirements Written descriptions of the roles and responsibilities of personnel are developed All staff are aware of their responsibilities and have access to their written job descriptions Standard operating procedures and records are developed and maintained to document the requirements of the Animal Welfare module and ensure the operator works to these procedures. Records are maintained and easy to access when required Records of non-conformances are made and the steps taken to rectify the problem recorded Reviews of the system are carried out annually to determine; o that non-conformances were rectified, o preventative and corrective actions were taken and recorded o Any outstanding non-conformances are rectified within a specific timeframe. Animal Welfare procedures are updated as required and in accordance with reviews of any industry regulations or policies. Feedback is provided to customers on outcomes and non-conformances as required

2 F.2 Customer and Sub-contractor Management Documented job records are developed, outlining o Orders and requirements o Activities, expectations and contingencies for the job, as required. Customers and subcontractors are selected in accordance with their ability to meet the TruckSafe Animal Welfare requirements A system is in place to evaluate practices and manage problem that have been identified with customers or subcontractors that could put at risk good animal welfare outcomes A system is in place to evaluate practices and manage problem that have been identified with customers or subcontractors that could put at risk good animal welfare outcomes Feedback is regularly provided to customers and subcontractors on outcomes and any non-conformances with the TruckSafe Animal Welfare system and business expectations. F.3 Staff Competency and Training A copy of the Animal Welfare FASTFACTS Guide and the Is It Fit to Load? Guide is kept in each truck owned by the company for quick driver reference. Training needs for staff are identified and training is provided as required o There is an induction process for new staff or contractors to provide supervision, training or information on the expectations of the operator/company (as required) o New staff or contractors are supervised or assessed until deemed competent by a supervisor or manager Staff training records are kept and maintained Staff are competent in and familiar with their job requirements Where there is a non-compliance identified, training is provided to rectify the problem

3 F.4 Stock crate maintenance and management of associated livestock transporting equipment Stock crates are designed for the species and class of livestock carried Livestock transport crates are maintained and constructed to minimise injuries or bruising to livestock and are kept clean; o Crates are free from protrusions that could cause injury/damage to livestock as far as possible o Crates provide adequate space (floor space and deck heights) and ventilation for the species carried o Livestock are loaded at the densities suitable for their welfare during the journey and these conform with the densities outlined in the Model Codes of Practice for animal welfare land transport. Stock crate flooring is sound underfoot, clean and maintained as required to minimise slipping and falling of livestock Side panels, gates, flaps between the stock crate and ramp are all maintained and constructed to avoid livestock escaping, falling or protruding from the stock crate. Any equipment used by the operator, including (where present) portable loading ramps, captive bolts for humane destruction, prodders, etc, is in working order. F.5 Planning and Contingencies The person responsible for the welfare of livestock to be transported is identified for each stage of each journey Operators responsible for purchasing stock conduct scheduling for collection and transport of stock to ensure animal welfare is not compromised Contingencies are in place and are known to all staff to ensure animal welfare for the following: o delays or breakdown o humane destruction (may involve contacting other qualified parties for assistance) o extremes of weather o obtaining and providing feed, water and shelter as required These contingencies are followed and appropriate action is taken to safeguard animal welfare during any emergency

4 F.6 Livestock Handling & Selection of Livestock Personnel undergo training in good stock handling or (for those deemed not yet competent in the task) are supervised until competent o Personnel handling and transporting livestock are assessed by a supervisor (where applicable) and recorded as competent Personnel handling/transporting livestock on a daily basis regularly observe the animals and are competent in identifying abnormal animal behaviour, and taking action when required to rectify a problem Personnel transporting livestock are competent in the following: o Selection of livestock for the intended journey o Inspection of livestock and identifying whether livestock are fit to travel o identifying the appropriate loading densities o their knowledge of actions to take during emergencies o the appropriate use of goading implements or dogs (if used) Operators that are not competent or permitted to carry out humane destruction are made aware of this by their supervisor (if part of a transport company or contracted to a company to transport livestock). Other procedures are in place to manage livestock requiring euthanasia, including: o Having contact details of personnel, including emergency personnel that can assist o Communicating to the receiver of the livestock where euthanasia may be required (ie. at the processing or saleyard facility). o Having instructions in the stock crate to provide to emergency personnel on the appropriate procedure for euthanasia

5 F.7 Management of Weak, ill, or Injured Livestock In any situation where livestock are deemed unfit for loading, arrangements are made where the driver/operator identifies the responsible party for the stock (which could in some cases be the driver) and the responsible party and the operator depot is notified of the problem. Expectations of animal welfare requirements in terms of fitness for transport are communicated to customers and agents. For stock that need to be transported for treatment or other purposes, appropriate procedures are in place to ensure stock are handled appropriately (including availability of emergency contact numbers) Drivers are aware that veterinary authorisation is sought prior to transporting: o injured or ill livestock, livestock unable to walk o pregnant animals or animals that have recently given birth o severely distressed livestock. Information on the time that livestock for transport have been restricted from feed and water is sought from the customer by the driver wherever possible and this is then communicated to the person receiving the livestock

6 F.8 Handling, Loading, Transportation and Unloading of Livestock Livestock are loaded and penned on the stock crate according to species and class Livestock are loaded and transport with consideration of extreme weather conditions Extra care is taken to manage aggressive or unfamiliar animals that may fight or become excessively stressed in the stock crate Livestock are observed within the first hour of the journey and regularly during the journey so that appropriate action is taken if animal welfare is compromised The use of goading implements and dogs for livestock handling follows the relevant State Code of Practice for Livestock Welfare: - Electric prodders can only to be used on cattle over 3 months of age. - Dogs are not used on any animal younger than 3 months of age - All dogs are muzzled and under control at all times - If livestock have to be lifted onto the transport stock crate, this is only done in a careful manner without dragging by neck or tail, and livestock are not forced or pushed when there is no room for them to move forwards. Post-transport, weak, ill or injured livestock are identified upon arrival at the destination and appropriate action is taken by the driver/company management to make the owners aware of the problem, treat these stock or contact authorised persons to euthanase the animal when appropriate Livestock are stocked in pens in accordance with recommended space requirements in the Model Codes of Practice for animal welfareland transport The appropriate stocking densities are managed for each species being carried with consideration of prevailing weather conditions, duration of the journey and fitness of the livestock for transportation. Stocking densities also take into consideration the requirements of any applicable State/Territory livestock loading schemes).

7 F.9 Food Safety and Traceability: National Vendor Declaration and Waybill Documented procedures are established and maintained for verification of customersupplied livestock Operators ensure that livestock are identified upon loading, during the journey and at unloading through practical means, ie. Load plans, effective consignment sheets, NLIS (where applicable). Livestock transported do not have visible signs of disease or illness and/or conditions that could affect their suitability for transport or slaughter. All drivers are aware of their responsibilities to inform management/owners of the stock if there are any doubts in this respect. Livestock are not loaded unless verified to conform to all the relevant requirements for being fit to load. Issues of non-conforming (weak, injured, not identified, missing paperwork) livestock are recorded, reported and investigated by management.