Queensland’s peak livestock transport lobby group is celebrating after the introduction of more flexible driving hours.
From this week, truck drivers carrying livestock will be allowed an extra one hour travel exemption if animal welfare is at threat.
Queensland Livestock and Rural Transporters Association delegate David Scott said it was a big win for sensibility, as well as animal welfare.
“On some trips things go wrong for truckies and they need some flexibility to deal with those issues and also look after the livestock’s welfare,” Mr Scott said.
“Sometimes you can have problems with your truck, the livestock, or just bad weather can create a problem.”
Mr Scott said the national body, Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA), had pushed for driver changes to livestock truck transport rules for the past two year.
“I’ve been in a situation myself with truck problems, but I sorted them out and had to stop driving just half an hour from my destination for a seven hours rest stop with cattle on board my truck,” Mr Scott said.
“It just didn’t make sense for the cattle’s welfare and I felt put in a position of risking the cattle’s well being or risk my truck drivers licence.”
ALRTA national president Kevin Keenan said that the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has again shown it understands the needs of different sectors and is prepared to forge ahead with a nationally consistent approach.
“The demands of livestock transport are like no other part of the road freight sector,” Mr Keenan said.
“While the HVNL stipulates work and rest rules for heavy vehicle drivers, the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Land Transport of Livestock concurrently stipulate maximum periods that water may be withheld from live animals, as well as other requirements such as unloading livestock promptly after arriving at a destination.
“Unforeseen circumstances can sometimes prevent a driver from reaching a suitable destination.”
