Working with the TruckSafe Board, the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) will review, design and relaunch an animal welfare accreditation program for the road transport of animals within Australia.
This agreement comes after several months of consultation, with ALRTA being identified as the best placed to manage and maintain on-road animal welfare accreditation for those participating in the livestock supply chain in Australia.
The new program will be developed in partnership with National Transport Insurance (NTI) and will support consigners, transporters and consignees to meet their driver and animal welfare obligations.
ALRTA executive director Rachel Smith said, “Given the importance our members place on the safe and humane transportation of animals, it is an exciting time for ALRTA and its members, having developed the original TruckCare accreditation scheme that eventually formed part of TruckSafe. I’d like to thank the TruckSafe Board for their support in this transition and look forward to further collaboration as the new program is developed.
TruckSafe board chair, Paul Fellows added, “Trucksafe has always been owned by industry for industry and the Trucksafe Board are delighted to see our Animal Welfare Module return home to ALRTA and the livestock industry.”
Those operators with expiring or expired accreditations will be extended to June 30, 2025. Operators concerned about their expiry date can contact ALRTA.
ALRTA and NTI will work with supply chain participants, animal welfare groups, regulators, and operators over coming months to ensure best practice is embedded in the accreditation process.