Auctions or saleyards as they are called in Australia have been used to market animals for over 100 years. Saleyards provide a service and facility for vendors to sell their animals and buyers to purchase them. The vast majority of animals sold at a saleyard are sent for slaughter; their flesh is destined for human consumption. A considerable quantity however are bought for the live export trade and a small number are purchased to restock farms.
The saleyard is where the lives of millions of animals are measured only by the economic value placed on their body and that value ultimately determines their treatment. In reality, the welfare of the sentient beings at the centre of the transactions is basically viewed by the majority as something to protect their investment, not the animal.
Generally speaking, attitudes in the farmed animal industry toward their animals range between contempt and indifference because the mindset that animals are commodities is so ingrained, (hence livestock as opposed to live animals, for instance), that respectful and compassionate treatment is something that is bragged about in the industry PR but rarely if ever demonstrated in the handling and transport of animals.
For some animals, the saleyard can be a place of unimaginable suffering, especially if they are injured or sick. They can be left to linger without mercy or compassion in their pain and fear. Other animals might be spared the misery if the saleyard happens to show a level of responsibility for welfare and ensure that the suffering ends quickly and mercifully.
Regardless of whether by indifference or bullet, they will be thrown into a pile for disposal. They had no value; they didn’t matter. For the rest of the animals considered “stock”, they will be sent by transport to another farm, to slaughter or to live export. Their ultimate journey will still involve risk of mistreatment and injury because there are no mechanisms in place to prevent it.
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No schedule yet for $12m saleyards
Updated March 05, 2012
The Western Downs Regional Council is yet to set a timetable for the completion of a $12 million saleyard at Dalby.
The State Government has pledged $5 million to build the yards, which will feature a roof, automatic drafting, new sale pens and softer floorings.
Mayor Ray Brown says the funding injection will bring the completion of the project forward.
“The $12 million complex is something that council is looking at and would take in the vicinity of two years to build,” he said.
“It was all going to be done from internal borrowings and it would have had some major drawbacks funding wise.
“This is the opportunity to move forward with it, go straight into stages one, two and three.”
Councillor Brown says it is good news for an industry that has been hurt by recent reports about animal welfare.
“Well we do hear a lot about animal welfare these days, looking towards the future where we must understand we must look after the animals also in protection not only from the sun but better wellbeing for the animal, less stress, which means a better quality of meat for the end user,” he said.
Gavin O’Sullivan; Elmore livestock transport company guilty of animal cruelty
ELISE SNASHALL-WOODHAMS
18 Jan, 2012 04:00 AM
THE owner of an Elmore livestock transport company has been fined $10,000, without conviction, for cruelty to animals.
Gavin O’Sullivan, 62, faced the Bendigo Magistrates Court yesterday on charges brought by the Department of Primary Industries.
The court heard that on May 3, 2010, at the Bendigo saleyards, four sheep in the care of O’Sullivan’s Transport were seen to be “severely distressed and disabled”.
A saleyards officer ordered for them to be humanely destroyed, but their wishes were blocked by O’Sullivan.
The court was told the sheep were not fit for transport and were eventually secured by sale yards staff.
When the lame sheep were destroyed and subsequently tested by DPI staff their legs were found to be fractured with significant joint damage.
On August 16, 2010, two more disabled sheep, with severe injuries, were seen in the care of O’Sullivan’s transport. On both occasions the sheep were being transported from primary producers around Wagga Wagga to an abattoir at Stawell.
O’Sullivan was charged with failure to provide vetinary care, not humanely destroying the animals, and containing them in manner likely to cause further harm.
O’Sullivan’s defence lawyer said his client had no knowledge of the particular injured sheep, and said crippled sheep were “part of the industry”.
But Magistrate Ian von Einem said it was O’Sullivan’s responsibility to make sure his workers complied with guidelines on the safe and humane transport of livestock.
“This is conveying sheep that are obviously in pain,” he said.
“Animals are being transported that shouldn’t be transported.
“One disturbing part of this is they have tried to reload them.”
O’Sullivan originally pleaded not guilty to the charges, but when Mr von Einem offered a fine and non-conviction he changed his plea.
Vic saleyards under scrutiny
ZOE MOROZ
16 Dec, 2011
SALEYARDS across the State have come under fire by animal welfare groups, who are targeting the treatment of livestock and the condition of saleyard facilities.International animal rights organisation Animals Angels submitted a damning report to the State Government that included photos, video footage and a detailed veterinarian report after visiting western Victorian saleyards last month.
The report revealed “unacceptable flooring” among the issues as well as sheep being unloaded from a trailer and ute without the use of a ramp, causing sheep to land on their heads and necks.
Animal welfare groups are now targeting post-sale feeding of livestock, water quality and the unloading of stock from vehicles after witnessing dogs swimming in water troughs and unfed livestock.
Last week, the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association (ALPA) issued a warning for all members to review their animal welfare standards as a matter of urgency.
The agents association also reminded members that saleyards were “public places and activists have right of and need to be treated with respect”.
ALPA Victoria/Tasmania State management committee member Rob Bolton said one of the main issues was livestock being received at saleyards that should never have been loaded for sale in the first place.
“There’s good awareness at the saleyard level; everyone who works directly at the saleyards, from management, employees, agents and carriers,” Mr Bolton said.
“There is more work being done in the saleyard system than people realise but the hard thing is there are livestock that slip through the cracks and end up in yards that should never be there.”
Mr Bolton said more education at the producer level was needed to increase awareness about livestock that were “fit to load and fit for human consumption” and were therefore fit for sale.
“A lot of livestock that end up in saleyards haven’t been seen by an agent,” he said.
Mr Bolton said the receipt of unfit stock could only be stopped by educating producers and making a stand at the saleyard level.
Victorian Livestock Exchange managing director Graham Osborne said destroying unfit animals was the only way to get the message across.
“It’s a blunt tool of education but it seems to work,” he said. “The message will get out there; the financial penalty seems to have an effect.”
Some saleyards are now looking at increasing fees for destroying unfit stock, including the Bendigo yards, which are looking at increasing their fee from $50 to $100 a head.
ALPA has called for members to review their policy on post-sale feeding and while livestock become the responsibility of the buyer on the fall of the hammer, a chain of responsibility comes into play.
“Animal welfare is a national issue and it is everybody’s responsibility,” Mr Bolton said.
http://sl.farmonline.com.au/news/state/livestock/cattle/vic-saleyards-under-scrutin/2393033.aspx?storypage=0
Saleyard cruelty on farm animals
- by: Carly Crawford
- November 24, 2011
Saleyard cruelty claim
SICK and injured farm animals are being traded across Victoria, allegedly in breach of animal welfare rules.
Shocking video reveals animals writhing after clumsy failed attempts to put them down, sheep being made to walk with horribly broken legs and a stock handler tossing a live sheep into a pen.
Animals with open wounds and some that are rake-thin have been found at saleyards around the state.
The Department of Primary Industry is investigating three claims of cruelty and inappropriate practice.
The Herald Sun can reveal the Ombudsman’s office has been asked to investigate the adequacy of the department’s response to persistent claims of mistreatment at saleyards.
Among dozens of allegations raised with the DPI this year are that:
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SHEEP made to walk with broken legs and with open wounds have been put up for sale.
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A SHEEP was seen writhing and kicking for 13 minutes, until its throat was cut, after attempts to put it down by shooting. A DPI probe found “no evidence” the sheep was suffering.
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STOCK handlers have been seen throwing live animals into pens.
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EMACIATED sheep were transported to an abattoir for halal slaughter.
The alleged activity was filmed by animal activists.
RSPCA senior inspector Daniel Bode said: “We would remind those on farms and in stockyards it’s their responsibility to make sure no animals suffer.”
State and national animal welfare regulations forbid sick and injured animals being sold or transported to saleyards and instruct that badly injured animals should not be sold but killed humanely.
The DPI said it had investigated 25 complaints about a saleyard in Victoria this year, but had found “no cruelty cases to answer”. Three claims are still being investigated.
Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh, National Party deputy leader, said complaints to his office “lacked sufficient evidence” and failed to identify those responsible.
“The Victorian Coalition Government condemns animal cruelty. The Minister is aware of the allegations,” a spokesman said.
Cruelty allegations have been levelled at farmers and stock handlers at saleyards across Victoria for at least six years.
The Victorian Farmers’ Federation livestock group president Chris Nixon said most farmers did the right thing, although it was a “fact of life” that livestock suffered injuries in transit.
crawfordc@heraldsun.com.au http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/saleyard-cruelty-on-farm-animals/story-fn7x8me2-1226204093062
Vic saleyards to lead animal welfare push
EXCLUSIVE: VICTORIAN saleyard operators will lead the way reforming animal welfare standards.
Victoria will push ahead and make changes to the current rules before any national agreement.
A meeting of industry groups in Melbourne on Monday decided to immediately review the current codes of practice for animal welfare in saleyards.
The group, which included the Livestock Saleyards Association of Victoria, the Department of Primary Industries and the Victorian Farmers Federation, also formed a reference group to assess current practices.
Currently, there is a Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals in Saleyards – Victoria, known commonly as the “brown book”.
However, not all saleyards adhere to this code, which was last reviewed in 2002.
The reference group will review the current code of practice and others in use, with the aim of coming up with a common version to be used in the 30 saleyards across Victoria.
LSAV executive officer Mark McDonald, who convened the think-tank, said Monday’s meeting was “positive and proactive”.
“The industry needs to move forward and tackle animal welfare in a co-ordinated way,” Mr McDonald said.
And while a nationwide standard was considered ideal, Mr MacDonald said Victoria planned to go it alone, as national agreement would take “too long”.
He said the reference group would involve industry members, but the LSAV also planned to approach animal welfare organisations to see if they want to be involved.
“We need to understand that things change and community expectations change and we need to move with the times,” he said.
Mr McDonald said saleyards like Bendigo and Ballarat were under constant scrutiny from animal welfare groups, yet their presence should not be seen as a threat.
“We hope to be able to work with legitimate animal welfare groups as they reflect the community’s standards,” he said.
Cattle Council of Australia chief executive David Inall said. no one at the meeting wanted to “make excuses” and seemed sincere in their wish to tackle animal welfare issues.
And he said Victoria was wise to go it alone, rather than wait for a national code of practices, which could take “years”.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2011/12/14/420081_latest-news.html
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