RSPCA claims rejected

And they are just two of the recommendations contained in a set of new welfare guidelines introduced this week by the animal protection group.

The organisation also wants pain relief used for all types of on-farm surgical procedures, such as dehorning and castration. It is also demanding that dogs are banned from use in mustering cattle and that feedlot operators erect shade structures across their yards.

Australian Livestock Property Agents chief executive officer Andy Madigan said while the RSPCA was entitled to an opinion, its views were not representative of the beef industry.

He said ALPA was not invited to provide any feedback on the document before its release.

"From what I can see, some of the recommendations have no connection to animal welfare outcomes," he said.

"To come out with a document like this, without consulting widely with all sections of the industry, also makes me question the RSPCA's ulterior motives. From our own point of view, we believe that saleyards actually safeguard animal welfare because they provide a transparent place for people to be able to monitor the health and condition of cattle."

Australian Lot Feeders Association CEO Dougal Gordon said he was broadly supportive of the RSPCA's intentions and said his organisation was given the opportunity to provide feedback during development of the document. Early drafts had impractical recommendations, such as limiting time on feed to 60 days.

"There is absolutely no correlation between animal welfare and days on feed, so it's good to see they've taken that out," he said.

"But we still have a problem with the idea that all feedlots should have shade, as this could actually be an adverse animal welfare outcome in cold and wet climates.

There is also no scientific basis to the claims that animals need regular exercise outside their pens."

*Full report in Stock Journal, December 13 issue, 2012.