The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) are about to launch a campaign to promote a registered code of practice for effluent management.
The new Effluent Code, Managing effluent in the livestock supply chain, will be officially launched in Toowoomba on Friday, June 23.
The campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage the adoption of the Effluent Code by engaging with livestock supply chain stakeholders in interactive information sessions, held at strategic rural and regional locations across Australia, and also through various media channels, including print and social media.
ALRTA national president Scott McDonald said that the project is a collaborative effort between ALRTA and NHVR with contributions from industry stakeholders, including Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), and is funded by the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, supported by the Australian Government.
The effluent management practices for transported livestock, as described in the Effluent Code, help to improve animal welfare outcomes, mitigate biosecurity threats, contribute towards sustainability, support livestock transporters, and make the roads safer for all road users by advocating a proactive risk management approach.
“The potential benefits of implementing the Effluent Code can only be realised if parties in the chain work together to take action,” McDonald said.
“It is in our own best interests as a supply chain to raise awareness of the recommendations in the Effluent Code to help minimise the risk of livestock effluent spillage.”
ALRTA’s Driver and Animal Welfare Committee chair Graeme Hoare said: “In developing the Effluent Code, livestock preparation and handling, and transport planning were identified as critical activities in safe road transport journeys for livestock, making the Effluent Code particularly relevant to producers and transporters.
“However, the code of practice is relevant to all parties who have a primary duty for the safety of heavy vehicle transport activities, including feedlot managers, agents, saleyard managers and processors, as they also have a role to play in eliminating or minimising effluent spillage during road transport.
“We need to start at livestock preparation and manage this issue right through the chain at production and sale points.”
Toowoomba Regional Council Infrastructure Committee chair Cr Carol Taylor said the Council was enthusiastic in its support for this important project as improved management of livestock effluent in transit would benefit all communities and significantly enhance the reputation of the livestock industry, which is an important contributor to the local agricultural sector.
“We want this industry to continue to grow alongside our rural and regional communities, but it must be done responsibly while also keeping our road corridors clean and safe,” Taylor said.