26 January 2011
Public consultations on a proposed amendment to government standards that regulate how long bobby calves can be off feed prior to slaughter, have now closed.
It is proposed that the standards be amended with the clause that bobby calves "must be slaughtered or fed within 30 hours of last feed".
The RSPCA's view is that 30 hours is far too long and completely unnecessary.
Dairy Australia's own research found that the welfare of bobby calves begins to deteriorate from 24 hours off feed and that is if conditions are ideal.
The RSPCA believes:
It is expected recommendations will be made to the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) in April.
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