Every year, over 600 million farmed animals are transported across Australia under poor conditions that result in stress, injury and even death.
Current rules allow:
- Calves just 5 days old to endure 18 hours of transport and to go without food or water for up to 30 hours.
- Sheep and cattle to be transported for 48 hours without a break.
- Chickens and ducks to be crammed into overcrowded crates for 24 hours with no water.
- Transport in extreme heat and cold with no weather limits.
These weak laws are rarely enforced and inconsistent from state to state.
Farmed Animals Deserve Better
Long-distance transport causes unimaginable suffering:
- Cramped, filthy conditions for hours or days.
- Rough handling and loading of sick or injured animals.
- Unsafe, slippery vehicles and unsuitable ramps.
These horrific practices are further worsened by frequent road accidents, leaving animals severely maimed and injured or dead, while also posing a risk to truck drivers and road users.
Cow with broken leg euthanised on Alexandra Ave, after escaping from crashed truck VIC 2024
FOUR PAWS Demands Action
We’re calling for the federal government to urgently review animal transport standards and take action to:
• Limit transport to a maximum of 8 hours, or 4 hours for poultry and rabbits.
• Ban unweaned animals and day-old chicks from being transported
• Prohibit transport in temperatures below 5°C or above 25°C.
• Enforce mandatory inspections and tougher penalties for violations.
It’s time to end the suffering of farmed animals. Sign our petition today and demand better for our gentle Aussie farmed animals.
Image credit: Farm Transparency Project