STATUTORY RULES.
1926. No. 155.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE NAVIGATION ACT 1912–1926.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912–1926, to come into operation on the first day of March, 1927.
Dated this third day of November, 1926.
STONEHAVEN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
H. E. PRATTEN,
Minister of State for Trade and Customs.
Amendment of Navigation (Deck Cargo and Live Stock)
Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1926, No. 89.)
The Navigation (Deck Cargo and Live Stock) Regulations are amended by inserting, after regulation 35, a new regulation as follows:—
Approved killing instrument.
“35a.—(1.) Every vessel to which these regulations apply, on which any large live stock is carried, shall carry a proper killing instrument, discharging a bullet or captive bolt, of a type approved by the Director, together with a sufficient supply of ammunition therefor.
Penalty (on the owner or master): Ten pounds.
(2.) The master of the vessel, if so required by a surveyor, shall produce the instrument and ammunition, for his inspection.
Penalty: Ten pounds”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by H. J. Green, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.16194.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1926 No. 155, enacted by the Governor-General on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, introduces amendments to the Navigation (Deck Cargo and Live Stock) Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912–1926. This legislative instrument addresses the need for vessels carrying large livestock to be equipped with an approved killing instrument to ensure humane slaughter in case of necessity. The policy objective is to mandate the carriage of a proper killing instrument on vessels, thereby ensuring that livestock can be humanely dispatched if required during voyages, thereby enhancing animal welfare standards in maritime transport.
The Regulations require every vessel transporting large live stock to carry a killing instrument approved by the Director, along with an adequate supply of ammunition, and mandate penalties for non-compliance. This legislative action aims to standardise the equipment and procedures for livestock management onboard vessels, thereby contributing to the overall welfare and ethical treatment of animals during maritime transport.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules 1926 No. 155, amending the Navigation (Deck Cargo and Live Stock) Regulations, introduces specific requirements for vessels carrying large live stock. This amendment applies to all vessels within the scope of the Navigation (Deck Cargo and Live Stock) Regulations, which means it targets shipping entities that transport large live stock. The primary purpose of the amendment is to mandate the carriage of an approved killing instrument on such vessels, which must be capable of discharging a bullet or captive bolt. The instrument and ammunition must be of a type approved by the Director, and the master of the vessel is required to produce these items for inspection upon request by a surveyor. The penalty for non-compliance by the owner or master of the vessel is set at ten pounds, and the master also faces a penalty of ten pounds if he fails to produce the instrument and ammunition when required by a surveyor. The Regulations extend throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing these requirements uniformly across all states and territories, ensuring that vessels operating within Australian waters comply with these standards to ensure the humane treatment of live stock during transportation.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912–1926, particularly the amendment to the Navigation (Deck Cargo and Live Stock) Regulations, introduce a new requirement for vessels carrying large live stock. Regulation 35a states that every vessel on which any large live stock is carried must carry a proper killing instrument, which must be of a type approved by the Director, and a sufficient supply of ammunition (Regulation 35a(1)). This instrument must be capable of discharging a bullet or using a captive bolt. Additionally, the master of the vessel is required to produce this instrument and ammunition for inspection by a surveyor if requested to do so (Regulation 35a(2)).
The Regulations impose specific obligations on the parties involved. Vessels carrying large live stock must ensure that they have an approved killing instrument on board at all times. This requirement includes maintaining a sufficient supply of ammunition for the instrument. Furthermore, the master of the vessel is obligated to comply with surveyors' requests to inspect the killing instrument and ammunition, thereby ensuring the vessel's compliance with the Regulations.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Regulations results in penalties. Regulation 35a(1) stipulates that the owner or master of the vessel may incur a penalty of ten pounds for not carrying the required killing instrument and ammunition. Similarly, Regulation 35a(2) imposes a penalty of ten pounds on the master if they fail to produce the killing instrument and ammunition for inspection when requested by a surveyor. These penalties are intended to enforce compliance with the Regulations and ensure the humane treatment of live stock during transportation.