Bobby Calf Time Off Feed Standard
Consultative Process
This issue is part of the Land Transport Standards and this site contains available information relating only to the Bobby Calf Time Off Feed Standard. The principle material for consideration is the Regulation Impact Analysis (RIS) which is an embedded document. There is also a short scientific report.
Bobby Calves time-off-feed standard – further review likely in 2014
Ministers discussed a recommended a mandatory standard for maximum time of feed for bobby calves at the 21st Primary Industries Ministerial Council meeting in October 2011, but could not reach agreement.
In 2009 the Primary Industries Ministerial Council endorsed the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Land Transport of Livestock and agreed that a science-based standard for maximum allowable time off feed for bobby calves should subsequently be developed.
A mandatory standard for maximum time off feed, in addition to existing transport welfare standards for bobby calves, was proposed as the best option to further minimise risks to calf welfare. A maximum of 30 hours without feed was recommended as the outer, enforceable limit.
While the Primary Industries Ministerial Council could not agree to introduce a national standard, all industries involved in the bobby calf supply chain (that is dairy farmers, livestock agents, calf buyers and transporters and calf processors) have agreed to implement a national industry standard that sets a limit of 30 hours TOF for calves aged 5 to 30 days being transported without mothers. This industry standard will match the only other international standard (NZ) for a maximum time off feed.
Departments of Agriculture are considering a further review of bobby calf transport in late 2014. Animal Health Australia continues to work with stakeholders on Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines and further information is available from www.animalwelfarestandards.net.au.