The driving force behind the development of a new Transport Hub

MLA staff and the Trucksafe Board

Meat & Livestock Australia is developing an online Transport Hub to become a new home of content and information regarding the transport of livestock across the nation.

MLA Project Manager – Animal Wellbeing Research Development and Adoption, Sharon Dundon, said an important first step in the creation of the Transport Hub is engaging with stakeholders at workshops in Roma, Wagga Wagga, and Western Australia combined with one-on-one phone conversations around the country.

“We’ve invited key groups of stakeholders including producers, transport operators, agents, inspectors, feedlot operators and processors to discuss what the content on the Transport Hub should look like,” Ms Dundon said.

“The objective is to create a one-stop shop that has information ranging from the practical and hands-on to the scientific, and bring transport into our supply chain conversation so we can identify opportunities and challenges as well as gaps in research and extension.

“A lot of animals are moved around the country each year and it’s hoped we will be able to report on the numbers moved and bring that into the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework to demonstrate a high level of transparency and success for the industry.”

Ms Dundon said a key focus area would be the preparation of animals for transport.

“Good preparation leads to good performance, and we minimise negative impacts of road transport,” she said.

“We also want to communicate responsibilities through the supply chain and that everyone in the supply chain is responsible, not just in their own segment.”

The stakeholder workshop in Roma was held on March 20, the workshop in Wagga Wagga is scheduled for April 12, WA in early May and there are plans for further virtual meetings.