Standard

SB2.1 Time off water must not exceed the time periods given below:

Transporting late pregnancy animals does potentially prevent cruelty. Those loading should know if the animals are pregnant- if there is doubt then do not transport.

Replace with:
SB2.1 Time off water must not exceed the time periods given below:

Standard

SB2.2 If buffalo over 6 months have been off water for 36 hours, they must be spelled for 24 hours before starting another journey, If cows known to be more than 7 months pregnant excluding the last 4 weeks, lactating cows, calves and young buffalo have been off water for 24 hours, they must be spelled for 12 hours before starting another journey.

The standards use the term ‘known to be’ which gets transporters off the hook if there are problems-(they can claim they didn’t know they were pregnant.) however, it demands that they know if they are in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. Surely, if the transporter or consignor is to know if his animals are in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy then it is reasonable to say he should know if they are pregnant at all.

Replace with:
SB2.2 If buffalo over 6 months have been off water for 28 hours, they must be spelled for 24 hours before starting another journey.
If cows are more than 7 months pregnant excluding the last 4 weeks, lactating cows, calves and young buffalo have been off water for 18 hours, they must be spelled for 12 hours before starting another journey.

Standard

SB2.3 Buffalo known to be in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy must be transported under veterinary advice, unless the journey is less than 4 hours duration.

The standards use the term ‘known to be’ which gets transporters off the hook if there are problems-(they can claim they didn’t know they were pregnant.) however, it demands that they know if they are in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. Surely, if the transporter or consignor is to know if his animals are in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy then it is reasonable to say he should know if they are pregnant at all.

Replace with:
SB2.3 Buffalo in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy must not be transported without signed and written veterinary documentation, unless the journey is less than 2 hours duration.

Standard

SB2.4 Electric prodders must only be used on buffalo after reasonable actions to cause movement have failed.

The guidelines clearly states: GB2.15 Electric prodders should not be used, because buffalo may become aggressive. Well then industry should take the time to learn how best to use low stress handling methods for buffalo and get rid of any tool of violence which inflicts pain and suffering.

Replace with:
SB2.4 Electric prodders must not be used on buffalo.

Standard

SB2.6 Buffalo that suffer heat stress during transport must be cooled without delay by water spray.

acceptable

Standard

SB2.5 Dogs must not be used to move buffalo.

acceptable

Standard

SB2.7 Approved methods of humane destruction for:
i) buffalo are firearms or lethal injection
ii) calves are firearms, captive bolts, or lethal injection.

acceptable