Farm animals are transported within Australia to other properties, saleyards, feedlots, abattoirs and export ports. Some of these journeys may involve distances of thousands of kilometres over several days. Most land transport uses purpose-built trucks, although some rail transport also occurs.

Transport is stressful for farm animals and can cause suffering and deaths. Aspects of transport that can affect animal welfare include separation of the animals from their familiar environments and social groups, forced interaction with unfamiliar animals, unfamiliar handling by people, overcrowding, water and food deprivation, exposure to extremes of temperature and humidity, and novel experiences and situations.

The RSPCA believes that animals should be transported in a way that avoids injury and minimises suffering or distress. Journey times should be as short as possible, and slaughter of food animals should occur as near to the farm as possible. Particular care is needed during transport of animals that are in poor condition because of the drought, and transport of bobby calves. Bobby calves are often transported for slaughter at less than 5 days of age. They are particularly susceptible to stress and injury during transport because of their young age.

Currently, there are no enforceable minimum standards for welfare during land transport. However, new Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock have recently been endorsed by primary industries ministers. These standards and guidelines aim to ensure that basic animal welfare requirements are met during the transport process. They apply to the major commercial livestock industries in Australia, including cattle, sheep, pigs, horses and poultry, and cover all stages of the transport process: mustering, assembling, handling and preparation, loading, transport and unloading of livestock. The RSPCA was one of two animal welfare organisations involved in the development of the standards.

As a contributor to the new standards, the RSPCA pressed for improvements in the transport process for farm animals, especially the way animals are handled, the conditions on board the vehicles, and the extent to which animals are provided with water and rest during the process.

The RSPCA is keen to see the new standards incorporated into nationally consistent legislation by the states and territories, as soon as possible. The RSPCA would also like to see the standards incorporated into quality assurance programs by the livestock and transport industries. These programs should be independently audited to ensure that they are being complied with.

In the period before the new standards are nationally adopted, the RSPCA requires that transporters follow, at the very least, the provisions in the current Australian model codes of practice for the welfare of animals (http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/22/sid/11.htm), any relevant legislation, and any other codes and standards relating to livestock transport.