New national standards and guidelines for livestock transport will be fully implemented across all states and territories of Australia by July.

The standards apply to all people responsible for the care and management of livestock that are transported throughout the entire process and covers land transport of livestock by road, rail and vehicle on board a ship.

They were developed in consultation with government, peak industry councils, welfare groups and the public, under the Animal Welfare and Product Integrity Taskforce.

The new rules have been progressively implemented across Australia since the Northern Territory and South Australia began in August 2012.

Queensland will implement the new standards in July, bringing all states and territories into line.

Livestock transport is deemed to begin when animals are off feed and water and concludes when they have access to water at the end of their journey, including mustering and assembly; handling and waiting periods prior to loading;

loading, journey duration, travel conditions, spelling periods; and unloading and holding time.

To help people throughout the livestock handling chain understand their responsibilities under the new standards and guidelines, Meat & Livestock Australia has updated its guide titled “Is it fit to load?” which can be viewed here.

More information about the standards and guidelines is available on the standards website here