3 April 2012
Species
All
Country
All
Relevant to
- Live Animal Exporters
- AQIS Accredited Veterinarians
- LiveCorp
- DAFF Biosecurity Regional Managers
- DAFF Biosecurity Live Animal Export Officers
- DAFF Biosecurity Livestock Exporter and Registered Premises Operator Auditors
- ALEC
Purpose
To advise exporters of the requirement to have a contingency plan for dealing humanely with livestock which escape during the process of loading a vessel or aircraft at the port of departure.
Background
There have been several recent instances of livestock escaping during the process of loading aircraft or vessels at the port of departure.
Incidents such as these have significant potential for adverse animal welfare outcomes.
Two recent incidents have been reported to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) by members of the public.
Instructions
Exporters are required to review current practices and loading facilities at the port of departure and implement improvements as required to prevent and reduce the risk of further incidents.
Exporters are required to develop and include in their Operations and Governance Manual a contingency plan for the humane recapture of livestock which escape during the process of loading a vessel or aircraft at the port of departure.
The contingency plan must include (at a minimum) a procedure for each of the following:
- Clearly identifying who is the exporter’s designated animal welfare officer to DAFF prior to loading commencing (note that this cannot be the AQIS Accredited Veterinarian).
- Immediately identifying the reason for the escape and measures to be implemented to prevent any further animals escaping for the remainder of the loading process. This may include cessation of the loading of livestock onto the vessel or aircraft.
- The safe and humane recapture of the escaped livestock which may include the administration of sedatives prescribed by, or administered under the supervision of an AQIS Accredited Veterinarian.
- Notification of the relevant port or airport authority of the incident.
- Notification of the regional DAFF Biosecurity office of the incident and its outcome.
- Making a copy of the contingency plan available at the port or airport for all consignments.
- Making all staff including third party contractors involved with loading aware of the contingency plan prior to commencement of loading.
Laura Timmins
Director
Live Animal Exports
Animal Division
Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry
Contact officer: Tim Naylor
Phone: (02) 6272 3933
Fax: (02) 6272 5423
Email: Livestock Export