A public consultation period has begun into how long bobby calves can be off feed prior to slaughter.
Members of the public have until 3 February 2011 to have their say on new standards that would allow calves to be off feed for up to 30 hours.
The RSPCA's view is that 30 hours is far too long for newborn calves to be off feed.
Dairy Australia's own research found that the welfare of bobby calves begins to deteriorate from 24 hours off feed and that is if conditions are ideal.
The RSPCA believes:
- bobby calves should be fed every 12 hours
- calves should be fed within four hours of leaving the property of origin and this feed should be equivalent to half the calve's daily ration
- the time of feed should be recorded and accompany the calves to their destination to ensure timely provision of feed to calves not slaughtered within 12 hours of their last feed
- the time interval from farm to abattoir should not exceed 10 hours
- bobby calves must, where possible, be transported directly to the abattoir.
4.1 RSPCA Australia is opposed to the transportation of bobby calves where it causes injury, suffering or distress.4.2 RSPCA believes that bobby calves must not be transported until they are of an age that enables them to withstand inevitable stress and rigours associated with transportation. 4.3 Bobby calves are often transported in substandard vehicles which have serious adverse impacts on their welfare. RSPCA Australia considers that bobby calves must at all times be transported in vehicles that ensure a sheltered dry environment.
FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO:
http://www.rspca.org.au/news/speak-up-for-bobby-calves-now.html