Hon. Colin de Grussa questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding the three-way drafting gate configuration of the new electronic identification tag scanning equipment at the Muchea Livestock Centre, raising concerns about animal welfare, productivity, and operating costs. The Minister responds that the design was based on user and installer feedback and welcomes further feedback after trials.

AnsweredQoN 178Legislative Council
Asked
19 March 2024
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

MUCHEA LIVESTOCK CENTRE — ELECTRONIC
IDENTIFICATION TAG SCANNING
178. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I refer to the installation of
electronic identification tag scanning equipment at the Muchea Livestock
Centre.
(1) Why was a three-way drafting
gate configuration selected for the new equipment?
(2) Is the
minister aware that the selection of a three-way rather than a four-way
drafting gate could increase animal welfare risks and result in a loss of
productivity and increased operating costs?
(3) If yes to (2), what actions has
the minister taken to rectify this situation?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) The design of the pilot electronic identification
tag scanning equipment on one of the drafts at the Muchea Livestock
Centre was based on feedback from users and the installers of the equipment.
The Western Australian Meat Industry Authority welcomes feedback on this pilot
draft once livestock agents have trialled the system.

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