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Livestock transporters spotlight ramp standards release

Standards Australia document welcomed – but comes at a price

 

New loading ramp guidance from development agency Standards Australia (SA) has been welcomed by the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Australia (ALRTA).

Livestock loading/unloading ramps and forcing pens (AS 5340:2020) was developed following public consultation throughout 2020 and input from a representative supply chain and community steering committee.

The guidance aims to promote safe practices in the over 85,000 agricultural businesses across Australia that may be using livestock ramps, Standards Australia (SA) says.

“We hope this standard helps to improve safety and build confidence across rural regions and within the many farming communities,” SA head of standards development Roland Terry-Lloyd says.
 
Though a PDF copy comes at a cost of $125 per copy, ALRTA driver and animal welfare committee chair Mick Debenham says the new standard will improve worker safety and animal welfare.
 
“Loading ramps and forcing yards are the most dangerous part of livestock handling facilities.  In 2020, livestock producers, handlers and transporters can no longer accept the unnecessary risk of crushing, lacerations and slips, trips and falls, and tragically, sometimes death,” Debenham says.
 
“There is consensus within the industry that improved safety can be best achieved by keeping livestock and people separated, a guiding principle that is reflected throughout the standard.

“By improving safety for workers, we also improve the safety and welfare of our livestock – the two go hand in hand.
 
“The standard is strongly supported by the livestock supply chain and based on the pre-existing Guide for Safe Design of Livestock Loading Ramps and Forcing Yards which was published by ALRTA in 2015.

“Those who have followed the guide will generally meet the standard.”


NHVR ditches rego numbers from Class 3 livestock permits. Click here:


ALRTA national president Scott McDonald said that there has never been a better time to invest in safer and more productive livestock ramps.

“After an unprecedented string of natural disasters, the rural sector is now enjoying a good season and minds will soon turn to investing profits in improved supply chain infrastructure,” McDonald says.

“The Federal Government is encouraging new investment via instant asset write-off provisions announced in the 2020-21 Budget. 

“Until 30 June 2022, businesses can generally write off the full cost of depreciable assets in the first year of use or installation.
 
“I strongly encourage all ramp owners to undertake a safety risk, animal welfare and productivity assessment of their existing livestock ramps and take the opportunity to bring facilities into line with the national ramp standard while the investment incentives are in place.

“Farmers and depot managers purchasing new equipment should ask the manufacturer if the product meets the standard.”
 
Copies of the standard can be obtained here.

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