Animals Australia's executive director, Glenys Oogjes last week wrote to Tim Mulherin, the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, in an effort to have the event banned at the Warwick Rodeo that starts today.

In the letter, dated October 16, Ms Oogjes said calf-roping was "inherently cruel" and Queensland should follow Victoria and South Australia's lead in banning the event.

The rodeo industry rejects suggestions calf roping is cruel.

However, Ms Oogjes said the group's representatives filmed disturbing scenes including calf roping events at last month's Townsville rodeo and sent a DVD of the footage with the letter.

She said the footage allegedly included:

- The disallowed practice of jerking the calves backwards and dragging them along the ground;

- A rider pulling a calf by the rope, "effectively strangling it";

- A roper throwing his whole weight onto a calf already lying on the ground;

- Calves becoming entangled in the rope, increasing the risk of a bad fall and a broken leg;

- Calves falling 'badly', increasing the risk of broken bones; and

- Electric prods being used "routinely, excessively and inappropriately" on bulls and horses.

Ms Oogjes said the rodeo industry regularly ignored its own rules about using electric prods on horses and bulls to force them to leave the chutes and enter the arena.

The RSPCA's Michael Beatty said the group would like calf roping phased out or banned as "it can be a cruel event" but it was unable to take legal action against rodeos holding the event.

The event at Warwick, south-west of Brisbane, will be held under the auspices of the Australian Professional Rodeo Association.

The association's general manager, Steve Hilton, said he did not want to comment on Animal Australia's claims other than to say: "Calf roping's not cruel."

Mr Mulherin said the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries had "a commitment to ensure the welfare of animals" through the Animal Care and Protection Act.

He said calf roping events were not illegal. Queensland standards and guidelines were being developed and public consultation would be possible early next year.

"Calves are sometimes injured at rodeos and the draft standards and guidelines are aimed to minimise this risk," he said.