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Implementation of horse land transport standards in Queensland

Side of a brown horse's head

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has recently engaged with Queensland’s equine industry and equine transport stakeholders on the revised Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines - Land Transport of Livestock (standards and guidelines) as they relate to horses to understand any implementation challenges in Queensland.

Engagement closed on 16 March 2026 and DPI is now considering all stakeholder submissions. Please contact AnimalWelfareProgram@dpi.qld.gov.au for more information.

Outcomes of stakeholder engagement will inform Queensland’s position on the revised standards and guidelines, and subsequent adoption of the standards into Queensland’s Animal Care and Protection Regulation 2023, ensuring implementation approaches are practical.

Background

In February 2020, the Animal Welfare Task Group commenced a review of the standards and guidelines to ensure they address horse welfare issues, reflect contemporary scientific knowledge and incorporate the expertise of those who work with horses.

The review was supported by extensive national consultation with equine and livestock transport industries, equestrian groups, horse owners, animal welfare organisations and veterinarians.

State, territory and Commonwealth ministers are now working towards national endorsement of the revised standards and guidelines.

When endorsed, the standards will provide the basis for consistent horse transport regulations across Australia.

For further information, contact the Queensland Department of Primary Industrieson 13 25 23 or AnimalWelfareProgram@dpi.qld.gov.au.

Discussion paper

FAQ

The discussion paper seeks feedback from equine and transport stakeholders on the implementation of the revised standards in Queensland. Outcomes of this engagement will inform Queensland’s position on the revised standards and subsequent adoption into regulations to ensure implementation approaches are practical in Queensland.

Horse welfare during transport will be improved by:

  • clarifying journey times and spell periods to reduce welfare risks
  • alignment of record-keeping requirements with the National Horse Traceability System
  • strengthened requirements for veterinary advice when transporting lame or poor condition horses
  • enhanced vehicle design, ventilation, and segregation standards to minimise injury, heat stress and risks of aggression
  • prohibiting electric prodders, dogs and restricting the use of multi-deck vehicles.

Targeted national stakeholder consultation on proposed amendments to the standards and guidelines occurred in early 2021.

In late 2022, national community consultation occurred using a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement. All major submissions were followed up with direct engagement.

Commonwealth, State and Territory government agencies were engaged via the Animal Welfare Task Group throughout the review.

Ministers are now working toward national endorsement of the standards and guidelines. In the interest of national consistency, and recognising the significant consultation already completed nationally, this paper does not seek feedback to amend the standards.

DPI is seeking to understand any challenges for equine industry to ensure implementation approaches are practical in Queensland.

Feedback is not requested on the guidelines, as these will not be regulated.

The Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is collecting personal information from you, including your name, email address, phone number and commentary or opinion, for the purpose of improving the welfare of horses during land transport in Queensland.

Information gathered via the discussion paper will inform development of policy and legislative proposals. As part of the consultation process, DPI may share consultation feedback with other state, territory and Commonwealth government agencies, and information may be included in regulatory impact assessment reports, for example to the Queensland Government Office of Best Practice Regulation. Personal information will not be included in these reports or published. Information (including stakeholder names but excluding contact and personal details) may be compiled into a public report to summarise the consultation process. Please let DPI know if you do not wish to have your response or submission included in a public report by indicating this in your submission or emailing AnimalWelfareProgram@dpi.qld.gov.au.

For more information on Engagement Hub and how it is used by DPI please read the privacy statement at: https://dpi.engagementhub.com.au/privacy-policy. For general information about how DPI handles your personal information go to: www.dpi.qld.gov.au/site-information/privacy.
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