Bobby calf planning

Eight organisations that formed the Bobby Calf Action Group late in 2015 say they are well on with initiatives to ensure best-practice handling and management of bobby calves.

Group members are DairyNZ, Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, Meat Industry Association, Federated Farmers, NZ Petfood Manufacturers Association, Road Transport Forum, NZ Veterinary Association and the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Scott Gallacher, MPI deputy director general regulation and assurance, says some proposals are new, while others already underway are being accelerated.

"There has been a significant body of work underway for some time on bobby calves through a range of industry and government activities and groups," Gallacher says.

"The action group is ensuring leadership and co-ordination of best practice in bobby calf management is developed and implemented, and that the public can be confident everybody involved with bobby calves takes the right level of care.

"We saw some appalling video last year and while that was not representative of the industry as a whole, all the groups involved are committed to stamping out bad practice and implementing best practice."

While the wider group co-ordinates a range of activities, each organisation is developing its own initiatives relevant to their part of the supply chain.

Activities underway include:

◦ DairyNZ working with dairy companies to make sure autumn calving farmers are aware of good practice and have guidelines on the welfare of bobby calves and humane slaughter

◦ In association with veterinarians, DairyNZ is developing a workshop -- Welfare Matters, Calf Care -- on bobby calf supply chain awareness, responsibilities and good practice, to start in May and June. It is also developing CalvingSmart, to train junior staff and farm managers. DairyNZ is also working with farmers and trucking operators to develop and agree guidelines and practical advice on how to ensure calves are fit for transport and loading

◦ The Ministry for Primary Industries is proposing new regulations on the care and handling of bobby calves. These have been discussed at two workshops with industry and animal welfare interest groups and should emerge for public consultation in April

◦ MPI will this year visit 1200 farms as part of its On-Farm Verification programme to familiarise farmers with their legal responsibilities

◦ MPI has spent $250,000 on a scientific assessment to help it understand the state of bobby calf welfare; it is examining data over 2015-16, to help make evidence based decisions about bobby calf management

◦ The Road Transport Forum is developing and updating its guidelines for bobby calf handling and transport

◦ The Meat Industry Association is working with processors to ensure they clearly understand their animal welfare responsibilities along the value chain

◦ The Petfood Manufacturers Association is reviewing its code of practice.

In addition, MPI has launched an animal welfare awareness campaign encouraging reporting of animal ill-treatment via a hotline: tel. 0800 00 83 33.