Standard 3 - Management of livestock in registered premises
Guiding principle
Livestock are assembled at registered premises, where the husbandry and management practices ensure that the livestock are adequately prepared for the export voyage.
Required outcomes
- Facilities at registered premises are appropriate for the type and species of livestock to be held.
- The health and welfare needs of the livestock are appropriately catered for in a secure environment.
- Livestock leaving the premises are fit for the export voyage and meet importing country requirements.
- Livestock rejected for export are managed humanely.
Overview
The assembly of livestock for export commences with the unloading of the first animal into the premises, and ends with the departure of the last animal from the premises, whether or not passed as fit for export. Livestock must be held in secure premises for a sufficient period of time to enable recovery from land transportation and to meet importing country requirements. Preparation of livestock must comply with this Standard. Livestock must also be inspected and deemed fit to travel before leaving the premises.
Where premises are used for holding and assembling livestock for export, such premises must be registered in accordance with the legislation. Registered premises operators are responsible for the design, maintenance, security and operation of the premises, including the provision of appropriate shelter, feed and water supply systems, animal husbandry and care by competent animal handlers.
The exporter must be able to demonstrate to the Australian Government that the management of the livestock at the registered premises accords with the specifications set out in the risk management plan for the consignment, and the importing country requirements for registered premises.
Some classes of sheep have in the past been considered a higher risk to inanition and salmonellosis and therefore are restricted from export at certain times of the year. Specific Australian research is currently examining these issues (Standard S3.9 may need to be amended in the future, in response to this research).
These Standards are relevant to each stage of the livestock export chain and should be reflected in relevant quality assurance programs. Livestock sourced for export must meet any requirement under a law of a state or territory. State and territory governments are responsible for ensuring that these jurisdictional requirements are met under respective state and territory legislation. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service must be satisfied that importing country requirements and the Standards have been met before issuing a health certificate and export permit.
Further details regarding roles and responsibilities and the export chain process are outlined in the Australian Position Statement on the Export of Livestock.
Linkages to other parts of the export chain
Only fit livestock accompanied by appropriate documentation can be accepted into the registered premises.
Only livestock fit to travel, which meet importing country requirements, can be loaded for transport to the port of embarkation. Land transport arrangements to the port of embarkation must be consistent with the requirements specified under Standard 2 — Land transport of livestock.
Definitions
Registered premises are premises intended to be used for holding and assembling of livestock for export or the pre export quarantine or isolation of livestock for export.
Version 2.2 - Standard for management of livestock in registered premises
| Number | Standard |
|---|---|
| S3.0 | The location of the registered premises, used for inspection for ‘leave for loading’, must not be more than eight (8) hours journey time from the port of embarkation, with the exception of camels for export through northern ports, unless approved by a relevant Australian Government agency. |
| S3.1 | The operator of registered premises must employ sufficient appropriately trained staff for the effective day to-day operation of the premises and management of the livestock. |
| S3.2 |
Livestock handling facilities and sheds at registered premises must comply with the following: (a) Sheds must be constructed with sufficient drainage and ventilation to ensure that the shed is free draining. (b) Sheds with slatted or mesh floors must be designed and maintained to prevent entrapment of feet. (c) Livestock handling facilities must be constructed to handle the number of livestock (ie the number of stock at the premises, whatever that may be, depending on the consignment size) with a minimum of stress and injury. (d) Floors of yards, sheds, pens and loading ramps must have non slip surfaces. |
| S3.3 |
Isolation of livestock: (a) Where a period of pre export quarantine or isolation is required by the importing country, animals forming the consignment must at all times be physically isolated from all other animals (whether for an alternative export market or domestic use) to prevent contact. (b) Where handling facilities used for loading, holding, treating or inspecting livestock (including roadway and lanes) are to be used for both domestic and export livestock (including livestock of differing export status), the operator of the premises must have procedures in place to ensure that: (i) handling facilities are not used simultaneously by livestock of differing pre export quarantine or isolation status |
| S3.4 |
To control drainage, surface water, groundwater and effluent run off, the premises must be located or constructed in such a manner that: (a) surface water and livestock effluent are directed away from laneways, livestock handling areas, livestock confinement areas and feed storage areas (b) the livestock confinement area of the registered premises is free draining and remains firm under foot (c) the surfaces around feeders and water troughs are evenly graded and compacted to form a hard, durable surface that readily sheds surface water. |
| S3.5 |
The registered premises must be either constructed or located in such a manner as to provide animals with protection from extreme climatic conditions by means of: (a) shade (b) windbreaks (c) shelter (d) other means approved by the registration authority. Note: Specific requirements may vary according to the type of registered premises, taking into account the species, class and maximum number of animals to be held at the premises and the types of operations to be carried out. |
| S3.6 |
Fencing at registered premises must: (a) be appropriate to hold livestock and to prevent the entry of livestock (b) be maintained in a good state of repair (c) be inspected before the entry of each consignment and twice a week while livestock are in the registered premises (d) be consistent with the importing country requirements. (Note: Standard S3.6e deleted). |
| S3.7 |
To ensure adequate supply of feed and water: (a) where feeders, self feeders and water troughs are used, they must be of a design that allows for complete cleaning of all surfaces, prevents spoilage of feed during inclement weather, and minimises faecal contamination and injuries (b) all livestock feed for use at the registered premises must be stored in a manner that maintains the integrity and nutritional value of the feed, and protects it from weather, pests and external contaminants (including chemical spray drift) and from direct access by animals (c) where feeders and self feeders are used, the feed trough allowance for sheep and goats held in paddocks at the registered premises is to be calculated on a paddock by-paddock basis and must be: (i) for ration feeding, no less than five (5) cm of feed trough per head (e) the quantity of feed available should meet at least minimum feed requirements, which are: (i) cattle/buffalo — two point five (2.5) per cent of their bodyweight, of a quality feed able to meet daily maintenance requirements (f) all livestock in the registered premises must have access to drinking water at all times (unless under curfew) (g) water troughs must be: (i) positioned apart from hay and feed sources to prevent fouling and (h) the water quality must be suitable for the livestock and there must be sufficient backup storage or a contingency plan to ensure continuity of supply at peak demand for two (2) days. (Note: Standard S3.7d deleted). |
| S3.8 |
For preparation of sheep and goats in premises south of latitude 26 degrees south that are held: (a) in paddocks during any or all of May, June, July, August, September and October, premises must have procedures to ensure that: (i) sheep and goats to be exported by sea are held at the premises for five (5) clear days (excluding the days of arrival and departure) before export (b) in paddocks during any or all of November, December, January, February, March and April, premises must have procedures to ensure that: (i) sheep and goats to be exported by sea are held at the premises for three (3) clear days (excluding the days of arrival and departure) before export (c) in sheds during any or all months of the year, premises must have procedures to ensure that: (i) sheep and goats to be exported by sea are held at the premises for three (3) clear days (excluding the days of arrival and departure) before export |
| S3.9 |
Export to the Middle East: (a) The operator of the registered premises must not prepare the following classes of sheep for export to the Middle East by sea during the period from May to October (i) For livestock held in paddocks: (ii) For livestock held in paddocks or sheds: (b) All sheep for export to the Middle East by ship during the period from May to October held in paddocks in the registered premises must have wool not more than 25 mm in length, unless approved by the relevant Australian Government agency based on an agreed heat stress risk assessment model and must be at least ten (10) days off shears on arrival at the premises. |
| S3.10 |
The operator of the registered premises must have arrangements in place at the premises to prevent unauthorised entry and access to the feed when livestock are being prepared for export. Access to the premises must be controlled at all times, with: (a) all entry points to premises being clearly signed (b) only those persons necessary for the day to-day operation of the premises and state and territory government officials having direct access to the area of the premises (c) all non employees reporting to reception for appropriate biosecurity checks relevant to the requirements of the facility. |
| S3.11 |
Stocking density at registered premises must provide at least the following minimum space per head (cattle with horns must be provided with additional space), unless a variation is required and approved by the relevant Australian Government agency: (a) for cattle held for thirty (30) days or more, a minimum of 9 m2, based on an individual liveweight of 500 kg (this allowance can be varied by 0.09 m2 for each 5 kg change in individual liveweight) (b) for cattle held for less than thirty (30) days, a minimum of 4 m2, based on an individual liveweight of 500 kilograms (this allowance can be varied by 0.04 m2 for each 5kg change in individual liveweight) (c) for sheep and goats held in sheds for ten (10) days or more, based on an individual liveweight of 54 kg: (i) penned in groups of less than eight (8) animals, a minimum of 0.9 m2 (i) penned in groups of less than eight (8) animals, a minimum of 0.6 m2 |
| S3.12 | When receiving and identifying livestock, the operator must obtain a copy of the vendor declarations regarding the property of source and health and welfare status of the livestock before accepting the livestock for the purpose of preparation for export. |
| S3.13 |
Unloading and inspection: (a) Livestock must be unloaded as soon as possible after arrival at the registered premises. Facilities must enable safe and efficient unloading of livestock. (b) Livestock must be individually inspected at unloading to determine whether they are suitable for preparation for export. (c) Livestock for export must be held and assembled at the registered premises in accordance with the relevant approved NOI and CRMP. |
| S3.14 | All livestock accepted into the registered premises must be offered water and feed as soon as possible and no more then twelve (12) hours after arrival. |
| S3.15 |
Livestock must be penned in accordance with the criteria in S2.10a-e. (Note: Standard S3.15a-b deleted). |
| S3.16 |
Daily monitoring of health, welfare and mortality must include the following: (a) All livestock must be inspected daily by a competent stock person (b) All sick or injured livestock must be given immediate treatment, and veterinary advice must be sought if the cause of a sickness or injury is not obvious, or if action taken to prevent or treat the problem is ineffective (c) Investigation by a registered veterinarian must be conducted if mortalities in any one paddock or shed exceed zero point one (0.1) per cent or 3 deaths, whichever is the greater, on any one day for cattle and buffalo, or zero point two five (0.25) per cent or 3 deaths, whichever is the greater, on any one day for any other species of livestock. Dead livestock must be collected and disposed of on a daily basis. Animals must not be able to access the area for disposal of carcases (d) Records of each consignment must be kept for at least two (2) years after the date of export. |
| S3.17 | Any livestock identified at unloading as being distressed, injured or otherwise unsuitable for export must be marked by a permanent method and isolated from the rest of the consignment. A record must be kept that details identity, the method of treatment or euthanasia and disposal of all rejected animals. Criteria for rejection are outlined in Appendix 3.1. |
Appendix 3.1 — Rejection criteria
Cattle and buffalo rejection criteria
Cattle or buffalo found with any of the signs shown in Table A3.1.1 must be rejected from the proposed export consignment. Any other condition that could be defined as an infectious or contagious disease, or would mean that the animal’s health or welfare would decline or that the animal would suffer significant distress during transport, also requires the animal’s rejection from export.
Note: As outlined in Standard S1.7 of Standard 1 — Sourcing and on farm preparation of livestock, everyone involved in the export process (operators, exporters etc) should apply these criteria.
Table A3.1.1 Cattle and buffalo rejection criteria
| Category | Rejection Criteria |
|---|---|
| General requirements |
|
| Systemic conditions |
|
| Musculoskeletal system |
|
| Gastrointestinal system |
|
| Nervous system |
|
| External/skin |
|
| Head |
|
| Other |
|
Sheep and goat rejection criteria
Sheep or goats found with any of the signs shown in Table A3.1.2 must be rejected from the proposed export consignment. Any other condition that could be defined as an infectious or contagious disease, or would mean that the animal’s health or welfare would decline or that the animal would suffer significant distress during transport, also requires the animal’s rejection from export.
Table A3.1.2 Sheep and goat rejection criteria
| Category | Rejection Criteria |
|---|---|
| General requirements |
|
| Systemic conditions |
|
| Musculoskeletal system |
|
| Gastrointestinal system |
|
| Nervous system |
|
| External/skin |
|
| Head |
|
| Other |
|
Camel rejection criteria
Camels found with any of the signs shown in Table A3.1.3 must be rejected from the proposed export consignment. Any other condition that could be defined as an infectious or contagious disease, or would mean that the camel's health or welfare would decline or that the camel would suffer significant distress during transport, also requires the animal’s rejection from export.
Table A3.1.3 Camel rejection criteria
| Category | Rejection Criteria |
|---|---|
| General requirements |
|
| Systemic conditions |
|
| Musculoskeletal system |
|
| Gastrointestinal system |
|
| Nervous system |
|
| External/skin |
|
| Head |
|
| Other |
|
Deer rejection criteria
Deer found with any of the signs shown in Table A3.1.4 must be rejected from the proposed export consignment. Any other condition that could be defined as an infectious or contagious disease, or would mean that the deer’s health or welfare would decline or that the animal would suffer significant distress during transport, also requires the animal’s rejection from export.
Table A3.1.4 Deer rejection criteria
| Category | Rejection Criteria |
|---|---|
| General requirements |
|
| Systemic conditions |
|
| Musculoskeletal system |
|
| Gastrointestinal system |
|
| Nervous system |
|
| External/skin |
|
| Head |
|
| Other |
|