NPB to Research Transportation Guidelines

November 7, 2006 — 

On the heels of the USDA decision supporting activists' claims that the "Twenty-Eight Hour Rule" applies to livestock transported by truck, the National Pork Board (NPB) has issued a call for research proposals to examine if 28 hours is the right length of time from a scientific standpoint.

Although the current law would have little impact on the swine industry, there is concern that activists or trading partners could use this rule as a precedent to challenge the 28 hour guideline and push for shorter transport requirements. The European Union requires off-loading animals after 12 hours. They have also proposed an international rule through the World Organization for Animal Health that animals should not be transported longer than 12 hours according to Dr. John McGlone, professor of animal welfare and animal behavior at Texas Tech University.

Dr. Sherrie Niekamp, director of animal welfare with NPB, also questions whether or not 28 hours makes sense scientifically. "The conditions are much different in today's truck transport. The maximum amount of time a pig can be transported on a truck before its well-being is negatively impacted is a topic we're interested in addressing," said Niekamp. The findings of the research projects funded by NPB will be included in the next update of the Trucker Quality Assurance (TQA) guidelines offered by the group.

Researchers interested in submitting proposals can download additional information from the NPB website. All proposals need to be submitted by November 28, 2006 for consideration.

Refer to the following AASV e-Letter article for more information:
USDA Concedes the 28-Hour Law Applies to Trucks

Source:
Feedstuffs.com