Friday, March 29, 2024

Bobby calf welfare better this season

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Calf welfare improvements have been noted across the bobby calf supply chain, Ministry for Primary Industries verification services director Chris Kebbell says.
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A suite of welfare actions had been implemented since the end of the 2015 as part of an accelerated programme focused on further improving the standard of care for bobby calves, including new regulations which had been in place since August 1.

"Everyone across the supply chain has a role to play when it comes to the welfare of bobby calves.

“What we have seen and heard so far is promising and a majority of people are following the rules but we have also noticed some people still need to change their practices to ensure all regulations are met," Kebbell said.

"We’d like to acknowledge the majority of farmers, transporters and processors who have always cared for young calves and are meeting the regulations with ease but we remind the minority that they have an obligation to care for calves and they face infringement fines or prosecutions if they don’t."

The four regulations introduced this season included fitness for transport requirements, a maximum transport duration of 12 hours, a prohibition on killing calves by blunt force to the head and the prohibition of transporting calves by sea across the Cook Strait.

Those regulations provided MPI with more tools to respond to those who did not meet their obligations for the welfare of calves.

"The key area we have noted that could be improved by the minority is ensuring calves are fit for transport.

“Farmers should not rely on transporters to make the decision on fitness for transport as farmers are in the best position to know the animals,” he said.

“That means making sure calves are at least four days old, are properly fed to manage the stress of transport, are free from signs of injury or disease, are alert and have firm hooves and dry navels.

"We'd also encourage farmers, transporters and processors to continue to strengthen communication with each other to ensure their systems do not compromise the welfare of calves.

“This means that only healthy, well-fed calves are selected for transport, that the collection and transport process minimises the stress on calves and that transport journeys are planned and kept as short as possible," Kebbell said.

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