Starvation Not An Option For Bobby Calves

Each year in Victoria thousands of "bobby"calves, less than a week old are transported from dairy farms for slaughter at abattoirs

By DSE/CFA - 18th February 2003 - Back to News

Each year in Victoria thousands of "bobby"calves, less than a week old are transported from dairy farms for slaughter at abattoirs. These calves are surplus to the requirements of the dairy industry.

Management of bobby calves is a sensitive and emotive issue and it must be of a high standard to protect their welfare and the integrity of the dairy and meat industries. The minimum management standards for bobby calves can be found in the Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Cattle. Adherence to the standards described in this code ensure that welfare standards are maintained and calves presented for slaughter in good condition.

In August 2000, Animal Health staff from the Department of Primary Industries (then the Department of Natural Resources and Environment) met at a Victorian abattoir to standardise on the procedures for auditing bobby calves against the standards described in the Code.

Calves were closely observed as they were unloaded from transports and any non-compliances with the Code were noted. A Tawai Livestock Pty Ltd truck arrived at the abattoir carrying a consignment of 330 calves from South Gippsland. In this consignment, one calf was dead on arrival at the abattoirs, one calf was severely dehydrated and dying and three more were weak and unable to stand. The calves had been "held over" for a day due to insufficient capacity to slaughter them the day they were collected from the farms. They had not been fed during that time.

The Department of Primary Industries prosecuted Tawai Pty Ltd under section 9 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act "for omitting to feed the calves, resulting in unnecessary, unreasonable or unjustifiable pain or suffering to the calves".

The case was heard in Moe Court on February 5 2003. Tawai Pty Ltd was found guilty of the charge, no conviction was recorded, the director of Tawai Pty Ltd was given an undertaking to be of good behaviour to August 1 2003 and was ordered to pay $250 to the Court Fund and prosecution costs of $5,603.

DPI Senior Veterinary Officer, Dr Sue Hides said that the court finding sends a clear message to those who buy, transport and slaughter calves and is good news for farmers and industry.

"It is not appropriate to allow calves to starve or die of dehydration because of the difficulties that may be encountered when feeding them," Dr Hides said.

"Because of these difficulties, purchase, transportation and slaughter of calves should be scheduled to ensure that delays in slaughter do not occur".

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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