Livestock Transport

• Certified Livestock Transport (CLT) Training Program
• Humane Handling Guidelines
• Recommended code of practice for the care & handling of farm animals - Transportation
• Should this animal be loaded? Guidelines for transporting cattle, sheep & goats
• Marketing cull cows, factors to consider when deciding whether or not to ship cull cows, Alberta Beef (Sept 08)
• Research on livestock transport
• Non-Ambulatory Livestock Consultation
  • Humane Transportation of 'Downers', Oxymoron or Acceptable practice, INSIGHTS
• Livestock Transportation Extension
• Laws & inspection of livestock in transport
• CFIA Transportation of Animals Program, Compromised Animals Policy
• Dr. Temple Grandin - Behaviour of Livestock During Transport
• Research
• Articles and resources
  
  • Livestock truckers one step ahead of the do-gooders - Truck West (Apr 06)
  • Pig Trucking & Handling - Stress and Fatigued Pig - M. Benjamin (05)
  • Animal transport rules in the works (May 05)
  • Animal Shippers Meet in Calgary Media Release (Mar 05)
  • Improved Handling Reduces Stress Induced Death Loss - pigs (Mar 05)
  • Stocking Density and Livestock Transport Feb 05
  • Truck West Magazine articles on humane livestock transport
  • Application of the ethical matrix in evaluation of the question of downer cattle transport - Terry Whiting 04

Livestock Transportation Extension

AFAC has initiated several projects as a result of twice surveying the industry - once in 1994 and again in 2002 (afac.ab.ca/reports.htm). ACTION in place as a result of survey feedback:

• Certified Livestock Transporter (CLT) Training Program
• Humane Handling Guidelines
• Livestock Emergency Response Course
• Position against shipping downers
• Industry forums

The transportation of livestock is one of the most stressful aspects of an animals life. By law, only fit, healthy animals are to be loaded onto vehicles. In Canada, the very size of our country and, in some cases, the distance to an abattoir means livestock can be hauled long distances. However, this is governed by laws that dictate time in travel and rest stops for feed and water.

Laws & Inspection of Livestock in Transport, CFIA

In Alberta, both the Alberta SPCA and the CFIA regulate livestock in transportation. The federal legislation, Health of Animals Regulations, Part 12, Subsection 138(2)(1), that prohibits the loading or transport of an animal that by "reason of infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue or any other cause cannot be transported without undue suffering during the expected journey." Provincial legislation is similar. <more>

CFIA Transportation of Animals Program - Compromised Animals Policy

This CFIA policy refers to the handling of compromised animals from premises of origin through to final destination. It includes a definition of compromised animals - an animal with reduced capacity to withstand the stress of transportation, due to injury, fatigue, infirmity, poor health, distress, very young or old age, impending birth, or any other cause.

This policy includes how to handling of non-ambulatory livestock at the plant as well as a guide to Assess Fitness for Transport. Click here to view the CFIA Transportation of Animals Program.

Humane Handling Guidelines

AFAC works with industry to develop guidelines for humane handling of livestock. These clear defined guidelines state what is humanely acceptable to load on a truck and what is not.The guidelines are endorsed by all respective livestock organizations, the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association and the Alberta SPCA.

Click here for detail and to order these free Humane Handling guidelines or call 403.932.8050.

Note: Loading an animal with a broken leg is not acceptable due to the undue distress caused. In Alberta, on-farm slaughter options are available.

Non-Ambulatory Livestock Consultation

A non-ambulatory animal must be humanely cared for if able to recover or immediately euthanized on-farm. All of AFAC's member organizations support the statement that it is inhumane to load a downed animal. A non-ambulatory or 'downer' is an animal that cannot risk, remain standing or walk without assistance.

• Summary of CFIA Non-Ambulatory Livestock Consultation & AFAC's position letter
• West Coast Reduction Ltd., Company Policy on Carcass removal
• AFAC Livestock Welfare INSIGHTS article - Humane Transportation of 'Downers', Oxymoron or Acceptable practice

Dr. Temple Grandin - Behaviour of Livestock During Handling & Transport

Visit www.grandin.com for information on livestock transportation by Dr. Temple Grandin including:

• Recommended Basic Livestock Handling Principles
• Guidelines for Livestock Holding Facilities
• Training Tips For Flighty, Very Excitable Animals (Antelope and Bison)
• Recommended Trucking Practices
• Loading and Unloading Animals Properly
• Assessment of Stress During Handling and Transport

Research

AFAC, together with the industry and Canadian researchers, are attentive to the many stressful aspects of the livestock relocation process:

• how it affects the overall stress of an animal and economic losses (see Animal Transportation costs dollars article);
• how to deal with injuries en route;
• proper densities, weather, distance traveled;
• truck design, truck breakdown protocols (see AFAC's Hog Transportation and Mechanical Breakdown Response Report - afac.ab.ca/reports.htm);
• trucker/handler training;
• Spent Hen Handling - Research Providing Solutions article (Livestock Welfare INSIGHTS)

For more information on transportation related research click here (afac.ab.ca/research.htm).