Electronic tagging of sheep, effluent disposal and the chain of responsibility would be among the topics to be discussed at this year’s annual Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria (LRTAV) conference, in Torquay, next week.
LRTAV president Graham Howell said the two day conference, on Friday and Saturday, was intended to bring members up to date on current issues and what they might face in the future.
Among the speakers, invited to this year’s Torquay conference, were the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) Sheep EiD delivery manager, Michael Bretherton.
“EID’s are a major issue - some of the saleyards are putting scanners on ramps, even though the drivers are not supposed to be involved,” Mr Howell said.
EID’s are a major issue, because some of the saleyards are putting scanners on ramps, even though the drivers are not supposed to be involved.
- Graham Howell, Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria president.
He said he was concerned some saleyard managers were “telling everyone” truck drivers would do the scanning. Mr Howell said the LRTAV was seeking clarification on procedures, as it was legislated saleyards staff would do the scanning.
“We are going to be the meat in the sandwich and when it falls apart, they will start blaming the truckies.”
He said chain of responsibility issues would also be addressed at the conference, with speakers from ther National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
“No matter what you are carting, it starts from the farm gate and goes right through,” he said. “When a truck pulls out of the gate, everyone who has handled that product is part of the chain, the producer is part of the chain and so is the receiver.”
Effluent management was also going to be addressed, with a report from members who went on a New Zealand study tour.
“It’s a ticklish issue, in the legislation, as to who is responsible.”
The study tour had shown New Zealanders were “light years” ahead of Australia, when it came to effluent disposal
“Truck drivers can pull off into a parking bay where there is a dump
“They can dispose of the effluent, and they are on their way.”