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8.Animal Holding Facilities

• Scope
• 8.1Outcome
• 8.2General Principles
  • 8.2.1
  • 8.2.2AWAC requirements
  • 8.2.3Inspection functions
  • 8.2.4Animal species
  • 8.2.5Construction materials
  • 8.2.6Roofing
  • 8.2.7Floors
  • 8.2.8Containment of waste
  • 8.2.9Animal wash facilities
  • 8.2.10Animal drinking facilities
    • 8.2.10.1
    • 8.2.10.2
  • 8.2.11Suspect facilities
    • 8.2.11.1
    • 8.2.11.2
  • 8.2.12Facilities for dogs
• 8.3Sheep, Goats, Calves and Pigs
  • 8.3.1
  • 8.3.2
• 8.4Cattle
• 8.5Possums

8.Animal Holding Facilities

Scope

This section applies to the live animal holding facilities of the following categories of premises:

AB, ME, DSP, PPH, APH, RSH

8.1Outcome

Live animal holding facilities shall be designed, constructed and located to ensure compliance with animal welfare requirements, to effectively contain animals, to facilitate ante-mortem inspection and so that hygienic slaughter and dressing of animals and the processing, packing, storing and transport of food is not jeopardised.

8.2General Principles

8.2.1

Animal holding facilities shall be designed to ensure compliance with animal welfare requirements and to allow for normal mobility and an easy flow of animals from holding facilities to the slaughter facilities.

Experience has shown that the following areas, per head of animal, within animal holding facilities exclusive of races, have proven acceptable: 1.7 m2 for cattle; 0.35 m2 for sheep, calves, goats and pigs; 0.25 m2 for lambs.

8.2.2AWAC requirements

Animal holding facilities and unloading areas (pens, races, receiving areas), should comply with the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Slaughter at Licensed and Approved Premises.

8.2.3Inspection functions

Facilities fit for purpose shall be provided for the required inspection functions to be performed. Refer also to Manual 4.

The provision of catwalks to enable overhead inspection of large stock and deer has proven beneficial.

8.2.4Animal species

Holding facilities fit for purpose shall be provided for each species of animal intended to be slaughtered.

8.2.5Construction materials

Structures and construction materials shall be designed to be effectively cleaned and to contain the animals.

Experience has shown that timber posts, railings and partitions generally sustain severe damage in animal holding facilities, and in time become difficult to maintain in an acceptable clean condition and cannot be satisfactorily disinfected in the event of a contagious disease outbreak. This is a particular problem with horses, given their predisposition to chew wooden surfaces.

8.2.6Roofing

Roofing shall be provided for the race leading to the stunning area as a minimum requirement.

8.2.7Floors

The floors of animal holding facilities shall be adequately paved, graded and drained to a drainage system and shall be capable of being cleaned.

8.2.8Containment of waste

The outer perimeter of animal holding facilities shall be curbed to a height sufficient to contain liquid waste.

8.2.9Animal wash facilities

Facilities shall be provided to effectively wash or treat animals to remove external contamination when necessary.

8.2.10Animal drinking facilities

8.2.10.1	Animal holding facilities shall have adequate clean water drinking facilities to provide animals with ready access to drinking water at all times while being held prior to slaughter.
8.2.10.2	Overhead sprays do not meet this requirement.

8.2.11Suspect facilities

8.2.11.1	Suspect facilities shall be provided for holding live animals which are unhealthy, or suspected of being unhealthy. Facilities provided for this purpose shall be identified and shall not be used for holding animals for any other purpose.
8.2.11.2	Facilities shall be constructed to:

(a)provide adequate roofing for the number of animals likely to be held;

(b)provide physical separation from other animals;

(c)permit effective cleaning and prevent contamination of adjacent animal holding facilities, other animals and surroundings when being used or cleaned;

(d)contain and duct effluent from the facility in a closed drain or covered drain directly to the main drainage system;

(e)provide facilities for the restraint and examination of animals.

A crush in the case of large animals, or squeeze gate or similar in the case of small animals, has proven acceptable.

8.2.12Facilities for dogs

Suitable facilities shall be provided for restraining dogs while not being used to work animals.

8.3Sheep, Goats, Calves and Pigs

8.3.1

Holding pens for sheep, goats, calves and pigs shall have an elevated slatted or open mesh metal grating over the underlying floor.

Grating should either be sufficiently high above ground level to allow cleaning underneath, or alternatively, if positioned directly upon or slightly above the ground, be structured in easily raised or removable segments so as to allow cleaning of the underlying floor.

8.3.2

Sufficient roofing shall be provided for sheep, goat, calf and pig holding facilities, to accommodate the maximum number of stock to be held in the yards intended for that day’s and/or shift’s kill.

8.4Cattle

Holding pens for cattle shall be provided with facilities for the purpose of washing cattle submitted for slaughter and prior to stunning.

8.5Possums

Holding facilities for captured and held possums shall be protected from the environment.