A new certified livestock transporter course will provide animal handlers with an update on safe and humane practices.
Ken McDonald, a certified livestock transporter trainer, said the course will provide information on new laws, standards and liabilities and increase drivers’ professionalism.
“It’s just one of those things – practices that were accepted 25 years ago are no longer acceptable,” he said.
“It gives them a comfort level that they’re aware of the changes, the legislation and what needs to be done today.”
Similar to the Trucker Quality Assurance program implemented in the hog industry, the new course was designed by prairie farm animal councils for truckers, shippers and receivers handling beef, hogs, horses, sheep and poultry.
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McDonald said recent video footage of Holsteins stumbling off trucks at a California slaughter plant reinforces the need to avoid shipping unfit animals to market and to implement animal welfare guidelines.
The course will cover loading densities, weather conditions, meat plant needs, handling, loading and unloading animals, biosecurity, emergency accident response and guidelines for dealing with unfit animals.
McDonald said there are consequences for producers shipping unfit animals that truckers need to know.
“If there are problems, people can be charged. That wasn’t always the case before.”
