Bindaree Food Group prides itself on being an Industry Leader when it comes to Animal Welfare. We continuously seek to partner with like-minded producers, agents and livestock carriers to ensure that the animal welfare standards are maintained to the highest degree throughout the entire beef supply chain. An important part of this is ensuring that Fit to Load Guidelines are met in all instances where livestock transport is required throughout the supply chain.
The Fit to Load Guidelines are a set of rules, regulations and responsibilities that are to be followed by the vendor, transporter and receiver involved in all livestock movements. The guide is published by Meat and Livestock Australia and was written in consultation with Cattle Australia, Australian Meat Industry Council, Australian Lot Feeders Association and many other peak industry bodies.
Given the current seasonal conditions in the New England and surrounding regions it is important to ensure that livestock are in a fit and proper state before commencement of movement. As the vendor ensuring that the animal is weight bearing on all four legs, isn’t displaying any clear signs of injury or distress and is not emaciated or dehydrated are all musts when assessing animals for travel. Some useful tips within the guide include ensuring that livestock have access to clean and fresh water in the days prior to travel. Allow stock to comingle with their travelling companions prior to the journey and allow stock to spell between mustering and loading.
Animal welfare is a non-negotiable and its one of the reasons that Australian Beef is so highly regarded throughout the world. Ensuring that animals are fit to load is essential prior to every Livestock movement. If in doubt, Leave it out. Fit to Load guides can be found on the Meat and Livestock Australia website.
