ALRTA Meets RSPCA

THANK YOU CUMMINS – A PROUD ALRTA NATIONAL PARTNER

For more information visit Cummins.com

ALRTA RESPONDS: FOOD SECURITY INQUIRY

The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) has responded to a Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into Food Security in Australia. The Inquiry is being undertaken by the House or Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture, Chaired by Meryl Swanson MP.
 
Terms of reference for the Inquiry include:

• National production, consumption and export of food;
• Access to key inputs such as fuel, fertiliser and labour, and their impact on production costs;
• The impact of supply chain distribution on the cost and availability of food; and
• The potential opportunities and threats of climate change on food production in Australia.

ALRTA has advised the Inquiry that rural road transport is critically important for food security in Australia.  It is typically the first and last link of our food supply chains, bringing vital supplies to our production centres and taking value-added produce to our markets. In most cases, the rural supply chain and rural trucking businesses are co-dependent – one cannot operate without the other.

The main themes of our submission relate to the current state of rural roads and biosecurity preparedness.  ALRTA has made 25 recommendations relating to matters such as:

• road funding;
• network planning;
• road construction;
• resilient freight corridors;
• natural disaster repairs;
• heavy vehicle charges;
• border control;
• consultation with transport associations;
• operational preparedness exotic incursions;
• permit systems;
• truck washes;
• livestock effluent control;
• supply chain documentation; and
• establishment of a Road Transport Management Deposit Scheme.

ALRTA representatives will appear before the Committee to provide further evidence if requested to do so.

TRANSPORT HUB UNDER DEVELOPMENT

MLA in collaboration with TruckSafe Animal Welfare are in the early stages of developing a Transport Hub to address risks and issues in livestock transport and develop a single-source “one-stop-shop” information platform that centralises existing and new content ranging from scientific research through to hands-on practical application and delivery.

The primary aim is to assist industry with optimal preparation and transport of animals to (a) minimise the negative impacts of road transport; (b) communicate responsibilities through the supply chain and (c) identify how exposure points and knowledge gaps are best identified and managed.

An important first stage of this project will be conducting Key Stakeholder Workshops to scope the framework and content and to identify opportunities, risks and gaps in research and extension in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday the 12^th of April and then heading to WA early May.

Earlier this week TruckSafe Animal Welfare Directors Peter Callanan, Graham Emery & Athol Carter spoke to a full house at the inaugural ‘’Roma Transport Muster’’ which was a huge success marking a positive way forward for the livestock & rural transport industry, representatives from across the entire livestock supply chain mustered together on Monday at the Roma Saleyards including supermarket retailers, processors, feed lotters, agents, industry reps, government, producers and transporters.

If you would like more information or are interested in attending please get in contact with Sharon Dundon 0427 255 335 sdundon@mla.com.au or Athol Carter Vice Chair TruckSafe 0418 444 457 atholcarter@fraserstransport.com.au

ALRTA MEETS WITH RSPCA

ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, has met with RSPCA Australia this week to discuss a range of important animal welfare issues. While our organisations have differing views on the impending phase-out of live sheep exports, we are of a similar mind on many other issues.

For example, we agree that the Federal Government should take a more active role in coordinating and resourcing the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy.  We agree that the soon to be established Inspector-General of Animal Welfare should have a broader role than that proposed by the Federal Government.  We agree that communication throughout the livestock supply chain must be enhanced by sharing information about time-off-water, fit-to-load status and live weights.

Our organisations will continue to work together on issues of mutual interest, including the promotion of the national ramp standard and effluent code.

INTRODUCING THE BEEF & SHEEP SYSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORKS

Sustainability is the production of beef or sheep in a manner that is socially, environmentally, and economically responsible. We do this through the care of natural resources, people and the community, the health and welfare of animals, and the drive for continuous improvement.

The Australian Beef and Sheep Sustainability Frameworks set out the key indicators of performance in sustainability for the beef and sheep industries. It enables success to be recognised through evidence-based metrics and empowers the industry to continually improve and demonstrate its values to customers, investors and stakeholders.

Each year, the Sustainability Steering Group presents an Annual Update, which provides an important snapshot of the sustainability credentials of the industry, along with opportunities for improvement, and a substantiation of the key principles of the frameworks: ensuring the prosperity of our community and the wellbeing of our animals, people and the environment.

The frameworks track progress against multiple priorities using indicators of performance.  Livestock transport is recognised as an important element of animal wellbeing.

For more information click on the links below:

https://www.sustainableaustralianbeef.com.au/

https://www.sheepsustainabilityframework.com.au/

ABANDONED LIVE EXPORT VESSEL

Did you know that an abandoned live export vessel has been anchored off Portland Victoria since September 2022?  A 16 person crew has been stuck on the ship for five months.

The Chinese owners of the Liberian-flagged ship abandoned it, along with the crew, after discovering a crack in the hull that rendered it unseaworthy.

While some crew members were allowed to leave, Australian authorities required 16 persons to stay aboard to respond to emergencies. The ship has recently been sold and the remaining crew allowed to leave. A replacement crew is on the way (supplied by the new owner) – but the fate of the ship is unknown.

SINGLE ROUTE AND AREA INFORMATION

The NHVR has launched a new webpage dedicated to providing updated guidance on single routes and areas when submitting an access permit application.

With the Routing – Single route and area difference webpage, operators can easily search, navigate, and save information as a PDF document for future reference.

The webpage covers detailed definitions and examples of single routes and areas, as well as guidance on requesting a return journey in your application. The frequently asked questions section offers further clarification on a variety of topics such as council boundaries, submitting multiple area applications, linking applications to other permits, and the need for specific entry and exit points.

To ensure prompt and efficient processing of access permit applications, operators should review the updated guidance on single routes and areas before submitting their access permit application.

If you require any assistance or have any questions regarding your application, the Contact Centre is available to provide support at 13 NHVR (13 64 87).

TRUCKING AUSTRALIA: LAST CHANCE

There’s just hours left to register for Trucking Australia 23, with registrations closing at 11.59pm Canberra time tonight!

The conference boasts an impressive line up of speakers, including the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King and Opposition Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie.

The conference runs from 29-31 March at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort. It’s the perfect opportunity to get away from it all and immerse yourself in fresh ideas and solutions.

With a packed schedule of informative sessions and engaging speakers, you’ll come away with a wealth of knowledge and insights that you can apply to your own business.

But it’s not all work and no play at TA23. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to catch up with old friends and make new ones at our evening social events, including the Penske Welcome Drinks, Daimler Truck Local Showcase Dinner, and the ATA Foundation Sponsors Gala Awards Dinner where we will crown this year’s winners.

Thanks to the TA23 sponsors for their invaluable support and contribution to making this event possible. These include: our Foundation Sponsors, NTI, Volvo and bp; major sponsor PACCAR; event sponsors Daimler Truck, Teletrac Navman, Telstra, Penske Australia, Castrol, Ritchie Bros., Bridgestone, Cummins South Pacific, ABB Australia, Gallagher, Royans, AEI Transport Insurance, Sutton Road Training Centre (TISC) and AerOx and Association partner, Queensland Trucking Association.

Visit the TA23 website for the complete program.

SAVE THE DATES FOR 2023

• ATA TRUCKING AUSTRALIA 2023 – 29-31 March 2023 – SUNSHINE COAST QLD
• LRTASA – 16-17 June 2023 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre SA
• LRTAWA/NATIONAL Combined Conference – 4-5 August 2023 – BUSSELTON – WA.
• LRTAV – 11-12 August 2023 – BALLARAT – VIC
• LRTAQ – 28-29 September 2023 – The Ville Resort, TOWNSVILLE – QLD