Mart trading practices are set for significant changes under new licensing proposals set to come into effect on 1 January 2019. The standout changes include a ban on trading calves less than 10 days of age and a ban on the use of sticks when dealing with calves less than 42 days of age.
Mart trading practices are set for significant changes under new licensing proposals set to come into effect on 1 January 2019.
The standout changes include a ban on trading calves less than 10 days of age and a ban on the use of sticks when dealing with calves less than 42 days of age.
Mart managers warned that the implementation of a minimum 10-day age limit on calf movements must also be introduced across other movement avenues to prevent trading in marts being negatively affected. A consultation process with industry stakeholders is already under way.
The new rules are in the final stages of completion and due to be given the green light on 1 April 2018. They will not, however, come into play until 1 January 2019.
Changes
The Department of Agriculture presented changes which it said will ensure the strong standards that marts currently implement are continued and enhanced to showcase the good animal welfare practices in place, at a meeting with mart managers last week. The changes include:
There must be no driving of animals over slippery surfaces.The use of sticks in herding calves under 42 days of age will be banned in marts.There will also be a ban introduced from 1 January 2019 on the sale of calves less than 10 days of age.Marts must ensure that accurate movement records are maintained with an electronic record of all movements completed within a period of 24 hours after the sale. The last point raised debate from some mart managers who argued that a longer period was needed during peak trading times or weekend sales. Detailed records will also be required of any sick or injured animal and veterinary medicines administered. These animals must also be removed promptly to an isolation area while marts must not mix unsuitable animals (for example, male and females, etc).A disinfection facility must be provided for those transporting livestock to wash trailers, trucks etc. 
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