I’m hoping to get this petition to parliament to try and change the laws on the conditions that have to be met in order for livestock to be transported. Many animals suffer due to overheating, lack of space, and many other harsh factors that cause mental distress for the livestock.

Poultry have no minimal travel time, and only have to be fed and watered once every 12 hours. Loading and unloading time is not included in the travel time.

Goats and sheep have a travel time in higher standard vehicles of 14 hours with only one rest, however loading time is included. The temperature guidelines for sheep, goats, and pigs are very lacked, they have a minimum of 0 degrees celsius and no maximum, this is only in effect if the journey is more then 8 hours. There is no specified size of the pens in the vehicles for goats and sheep, this means there is no maximum or minimum dimensions, however there is a recommended maximum.

Pigs have a maximum journey time in a higher standard vehicle of 24 hours with no breaks, and for journeys up to 12 hours they do not require continuous access to water. Piglets less then 3 weeks of age can travel for up to 100km in one journey.

Cows can travel up to 14 hours with one rest in higher standard vehicles. The pen sizes again do not have a maximum or minimum dimension, they only have a suggested maximum. 
 
If farmers are transporting their own animals in their own transport for up to 50km, they are exempt from many of the regulations.

These conditions and guidelines are inhumane and cause mental distress and issues with the physical well-being of the livestock. The rules and guidelines are all very vague and there are very few compulsory regulations in place. 

Even with these guidelines as they are, there is very little done to ensure these guidelines are met.

To solve this, I propose the introduction of the Animal Transportation Act, which should have stricter transportation times, as well as more breaks allowed, constant access to food and water, and more humane space and heat conditions. There needs to be set minimums for the amount of space allowed per animal, rather than just a recommended guideline. There needs to be a reasonable maximum temperature regulation, as there is currently not one in place which causes common issues with overheating for the livestock. These conditions should have to be met no matter the length of the journey, and regular checks should have to be made. 

I would really appreciate your input to helping make this change happen.