Bobby calf safeguards in force
New rules to protect bobby calves being transported for sale or slaughter come into effect on August 1.
They are designed to clamp down on the inhumane treatment highlighted by animal rights advocates last year, when at least 5000 calves were estimated to have been killed en route to processing plants.
The changes: ❚ Require that calves must be at least four days of age and physically fit before they are transported for sale or slaughter. ❚ Prohibit transporting calves across Cook Strait. ❚ Set a maximum journey duration of 12 hours for being transported. ❚ Prohibit the killing of any calves by use of blunt force to the head, except in an emergency situation.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said the new regulations were gazetted this week.
‘‘These regulations follow two months of public consultation and were widely supported.
‘‘Most farmers care for their animals and good operators will not notice much difference,’’ Guy said.
Three further regulations will be introduced under a delayed start date, including: ❚ Maximum time off feed before slaughter is no more than 24 hours after the calf was last fed on farm, taking effect on February 1, 2017. ❚ Requiring that loading and unloading facilities be provided and used when young calves are transported for sale and slaughter, taking effect on August 1, 2017. ❚ Requiring that suitable shelter be provided for young calves before and during transportation, and at points of sale or slaughter, taking effect on August 1, 2017.
Federated Farmers dairy group chairman Andrew Hoggard said he was pleased farmers would not be ‘‘pinged’’ for carrying the odd one or two calves on a trailer, after the industry group had lobbied against making it illegal.
The focus of the rules was on transporting calves by truck and should not penalise farmers, he said.