TORONTO – The Livestock Transporters’ Division (LTD) of the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) is calling on carriers, shippers and governments to jointly create a safe, responsible and accountable system of live animal transport in Ontario.

The LTD recently issued a policy paper entitled, “Policy Recommendation to Create a Safe, Educated and Accountable Live Animal Transportation Supply Chain,” which outlines the division’s proposal for improving the integrity of livestock transport in Ontario.

The OTA LTD recommends:

♦ Carriers retain control over their training programs in an effort to continually incorporate industry input, changes and best practices;

♦ Training programs such as TQA and CLT, perhaps modified versions based on industry input, be made mandatory for drivers of livestock-carrying trucks, accompanied by appropriate enforcement measures;

♦ That all livestock transporters should fall under the same provisions as trucks required to have a CVOR;

♦ Farmers and producers be required to ensure that their carriers satisfy CVOR requirements;

♦ An Entrant Program (EP) be developed for all trucking companies engaged in the movement of live animals in Ontario, requiring the completion of a one-day course on safety and animal knowledge;

♦ CFIA conduct random animal inspections at any loading points during livestock pickups to determine animal health;

♦ Excellence should be demanded at all points of the supply chain. In addition to ensuring livestock transporters are trained, CFIA inspectors and members of the on-road enforcement community should also be educated so they can optimally fulfill their duties;

♦ In addition to animal weight, all facilities handling livestock must be required to report previous feeding and watering of animals to drivers upon livestock pickup;

♦ MTO conduct annual safety blitzes on highways and rural roads focusing on livestock carriers;

♦ MTO conduct surprise mobile inspections at processing facilities;

♦ OTA LTD be given a seat on the Ontario Pork Board, ensuring livestock transporters are fairly represented;

♦ The Ontario Pork Board review the freeze on 1992 rates.