SUPPLY CHAIN UCKSAFE? Animal welfare front ofmind all day, every day Are livestock fit Transport company story – the TruckSafe program Frasers have been ensures Frasers can meet for transport? moving livestock across those expectations. the eastern seaboard of Q. How is TruckSafe part of your It’s essential to manage Australia since 1944. Today, daily practices? livestock during transport to they operate 55 trucks and The TruckSafe program sets a reduce stress and minimise more than 150 trailers. benchmark, giving our company risks to animal welfare. an incentive to strive for the Here, Frasers Compliance highest standard in everything Producers have an important part Manager, Athol Carter, gives an we do. to play by understanding their roles insight into why Frasers joined and responsibilities and ensuring the TruckSafe program more than Our drivers can evaluate animal they comply with the Animal Welfare 20 years ago and what it means welfare risks and ensure no Standards and Guidelines for the land to producers. discomfort is caused to livestock. transport of livestock, as well as their They’re competent in loading relevant state or territory legislation. Q. Why did Frasers become and unloading, assessing and accredited with TruckSafe? observing livestock, recognising Here’s a handy checklist to prepare Australia’s red meat industry weak or diseased animals and livestock for transport to ensure they’re leads the world in best practice can respond appropriately to fix in good condition on arrival and animal welfare and it’s essential a problem. reduce issues such as skin staining the transport of live animals and bruising – which can reduce is also supplied under best We document everything from market compliance – and mortality. practice standards. contingency plans for delays such as extreme weather, biosecurity Livestock transport checklist: We recognise Frasers need to threats or a requirement to supply Check the holding/loading yards be more than just transporters water to animals. and loading ramp to ensure of animals. Q. What are the risks if they’re adequate We’re a visible link in the meat producers don’t use a TruckSafe Use low‑stress handling supply chain so we hold a lot of accredited transporter? techniques responsibility for the industry’s It’s simple – if a truck isn’t Don’t conduct highly stressful reputation – animal welfare mechanically well‑maintained activities such as crutching, needs to be front of mind all day, or a driver isn’t fit for duty, a dipping and drenching just every day. consignment may be put at risk. ■ before loading Consumers want ethical and humane animal handling, Athol Carter Don’t transport sick, injured, or E: AtholCarter@ heavily pregnant animals environmental consciousness fraserstransport.com.au and a palatable paddock‑to‑plate Yard livestock before loading, preferably overnight so they have time to settle Segregate livestock appropriately for loading and load livestock to the approved density Keep livestock off feed/water for 8–12 hours prior to transport if possible, but remember strict maximum times off water apply Use a TruckSafe accredited livestock carrier Move drought‑affected livestock early to ensure they’re fit to load Make sure all movement documents travelling with the livestock are completed 35