BOBBY CALF TRADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 213, 9 August 1937, Page 12

BOBBY CALF TRADE.

REGULATIONS FOR SLAUGHTERING The responsibilities of those engaged in the bobby calf trade were reforred to bv the Minister of Agriculture, lion. W. Lee Martin, in an interview. The Minister stated that a number of people engaged in this trade seemed to be unaware of the regulations governing the selling and slaughtering of bobby calves, and as a result misunderstandings and friction had been croated. Mr Martin pointed out that under tho regulations governing the trade it was an offence to soil a calf which had nob been properly and sufficiently fed daily from timo of birth, and which had not been fod within four hours of its actual removal from the seller’s premises. In any proceedings brought under tin's regulation tho burden of proof lay on the defendant. It was also an offence to purchase, drivo or convey a calf which appeared to bo unfit by reason of weakness or immaturity to bo driven or conveyed to a place where it was intended to be slaughtered for human consumption. The maximum penalties for any breach of these regulations were £2OO in the case of an individual, and £IOOO in the case of a company. “Underweight, immature calves are condemned at the works,” said the Minister, “and in order to avoid such rejection an arrangement was arrived at last season between the buyers and their carriers that calves weighing under 481 b would not bo lifted from tho farm gate. This minimum weight of 481 b has been found in practice to return 231 b 14oz at tho works, that is, the minimum weight to obviate rejection for immaturity. Obviously the aim should be to forward calves of a live weight exceeding 481 b, and most well-nourished calveß three days 'old and over aro well in excess of this minimum.” The Minister also drew attention to the provisions of clause 7 of tho Police Ofj’ences Act, 1927, which lays down that every person is liablo to a lino not exceed, ing £2O or to imprisonment for any term not exceeding two months who—(a) Cruelly beats, kioks. ill-treats, overrides, overdrives, overloads, tortures, infuriates, or terrifies any animal, or causes or procures or, being the owner, permits any animal to be so used; or by wantonly or unreasonably doing or omitting to do any act, or causing or procuring the commission or omission of any act, causes any unnecessary suffering, or being the owner permits any unnecessary suffering to be so caused to any animal; or (b) Being the owner of or having the charge of any animal, omits to supply any such animal with proper and* sufficient food, water, or shelter; or (c) Slaughters, brands, conveys, or carries, or causes to be slaughtered, branded, conveyed, or carried, any animal in such a manner or position as to subject such animal to unnecessary pain or suffering.