Response to my letter about the "One million baby calves need your help!"

Thank you for your comments regarding the welfare of dairy calves. We are concerned with the content of your email and refute your claims that the dairy industry has demonstrated an unwillingness to endorse reforms for the Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Land Transport.
The dairy industry along with government, scientists and animal welfare groups reached consensus on the Standards as part of the development process. These Standards will deliver good animal welfare outcomes. The dairy industry worked closely with government, animal welfare groups, other industries and Animal Health Australia to develop the Land Transport of Livestock Standards and Guideline.
The land transport standard has introduced either new standards for the improved welfare of calves or standards that reflect the intent of guidelines within the Model Code of Welfare.

The following areas of calf management are now covered under the proposed land transport standard and will provide continued and significant improvements in calf welfare outcomes. They are fully endorsed by the dairy industry and are supported by science to ensure the welfare risk to calves during transported is minimised.
Ø Standards for the loading of calves including careful lifting of those animals that cannot negotiate loading ramps easily
Ø Standards banning the use of electric prodders on calves
Ø Standards requiring auditable and accessible record systems to enable assurances to be provided that calves were fed within six hours of transport
Ø Standards to ensure transporters provide space for calves to lie down during transport
Ø Standards for maximum transport distance and duration.  The dairy industry continues to recommend that calves should be transported at no younger than five days of age. The first week of rearing is a critical period for development, animal health and changes to the digestive system. While calves may be larger and easier to move at ten days of age, these calves are more susceptible to gastro-intestinal illness and infections.

This is supported by science which has found that increasing the age at which calves are transported is unlikely to improve welfare of calves.  
The Australian dairy industry is committed to improving the welfare of calves and is working with farmers, calf buyers, transporters and processors to ensure everyone is aware of their responsibility for calf welfare.    Dairy Australia, Level 5, IBM Centre, 60 City Road, Southbank, Victoria, 3006