In some instances during and after a natural disaster there may be a need to provide fodder assistance to livestock under welfare stress through lack of feed. Livestock might, for example, be stranded by a flood and require fodder which can only be delivered by air. This is an expensive exercise which, depending on the size and scale of the event, may not always be feasible.

The key principles and the process for the provision of fodder and fodder drops is explained below.

Key principles

• Animal welfare remains the responsibility of the person or persons looking after livestock at a particular time; this will usually be the owners or current managers of the livestock.
• In the case of livestock displaced to a different property as a result of a natural disaster, responsibility for the welfare of those livestock is normally that of the owner of the livestock. However, in circumstances where the owner can't be contacted, the government and industry will determine the appropriate action to address the welfare needs of the animals.
• Responsibility for the cost of maintaining livestock generally rests with the owner. The provision of fodder and fodder drops (the fodder itself and aerial transport) is not eligible for standard Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) assistance so any such costs are borne by the owner.
• Depending on the scale of a natural disaster event, NDRRA Category C recovery grant funding may be made available and these funds may be used to pay for fodder drops. In rare, exceptional and extreme events where large numbers of livestock are affected and provision of fodder is beyond the resources of the affected community, NDRRA Category D assistance may include a fodder drop program after negotiation with the Australian Government.
• Even if a need is identified, human need for air transport will be a higher priority than the needs of livestock should there be a conflict.
• Fodder must comply with conditions established to address harmful contaminants, chemical residue concerns and the spread of weeds, pests and diseases.

Proposed process

The proposed process for the provision of fodder during a natural disaster is:

1. The requirement for the provision of fodder and/or fodder drops will be determined by The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) in collaboration with industry leaders.
2. If required, DEEDI will coordinate fodder drops in conjunction with relevant industry groups on a needs basis.
3. This need can't be determined in advance. A decision to conduct a fodder drop operation will be made in liaison with industry and will be based on factors such as scale, severity, location, need and competing priorities for aircraft and fuel.
4. Fodder drops will be coordinated at a local level and, should a fodder drop program be judged neccessary, the names of relevant DEEDI and industry coordinators will be made available through local media and industry mechanisms.
5. Coordinators will match requests for fodder assistance with available transport and fodder supplies. They will also develop a register of available fodder supplies.

If you would like this information in PDF format, download the Fodder drop policy (PDF, 72 kB).