Livestock haulers urged to add surcharges for "at risk" animals

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TORONTO, Ont. — The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) is encouraging livestock haulers to apply surcharges for the movement of "at risk for transport" animals.

"Since an at-risk animal must be transported with special provisions, livestock carriers would prefer not to move them at all," says Betsy Sharples, executive director, OTA Livestock Transporters’ Division. "An at-risk animal has a greater likelihood of becoming injured while in-transit, which presents a myriad of legal and welfare challenges."

The advice comes on the heels of changes to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Compromised Animals Policy which came into effect Feb. 1. The changes prohibit an at-risk animal from being unloaded which means truckers will likely face delays and other challenges at their final destination.

"The extra care required for these at-risk animals adds to the overall carrier costs" says Sharples. "It only makes sense that the livestock transporters pass these additional costs along to the shipper, similar to how specialized costs are passed along in the general freight sector."

Fines of up to $50,000 can be slapped against each party involved in a violation of the Health of Animals Act.

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