Fitness for Transport |
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Transport is a stressful process. Cattle do not lie down in trailers, and healthy dairy cattle do not like to stand for more than 3 hours at a stretch. A long trip to reach the slaughter plant can be too demanding, especially for severely lame or emaciated cows, and they should not be asked to withstand this process.
How to assess:
Review the fitness for transport protocol to confirm that AABP guidelines are being followed. At a minimum, this should include:
This protocol must have been reviewed and signed by the VOR within the last 12 months.
Evidence that this protocol is being followed on the farm will be checked during the audit by interviewing an employee who performs these procedures and by visual confirmation that farm practices are consistent with the SOP.
- No transportation of animals with the following conditions: blindness, fever, non-ambulatory, severe lameness, uterine prolapse, active calving, distended or dropped udder that affects mobility, open wounds/active bleeding, central nervous system or neurologic symptoms, emaciation
- Newborn calves can only be transported after they have been fed, are dry, and able to stand on all four hooves
- Animals cleared for transport must be checked to ensure no milk or meat withholds are present. If a withhold is present or suspected, the animal can not be transported.
This protocol must have been reviewed and signed by the VOR within the last 12 months.
Evidence that this protocol is being followed on the farm will be checked during the audit by interviewing an employee who performs these procedures and by visual confirmation that farm practices are consistent with the SOP.
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This template is provided as a guideline; farms may write their own as long as minimum content (highlighted in blue) is met