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Animal Welfare
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Animal Welfare

There is increasing sensitivity from many consumers and society on the welfare of farmed animals.   In response,   a range of regulatory instruments have been established to protect animal welfare.   The Animal Welfare Act and Animal Protection Act define a bottom line that all animal producers need to conform to.   Above this sit voluntary Codes of Recommendations and Standards that have been developed for most farmed animals as well as specialist areas such as the transport of livestock. There are also a range of non government regulatory standards that set a higher expectation in relation to the management of animal welfare and may provide a marketing advantage to those farmers who conform to them.
   
The main regulatory agency is the MAF Animal Welfare Group. MAF is responsible for advising the Minister of Agriculture on animal welfare policy matters. The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) was established in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 1999.   Section 57 of the Animal Welfare Act prescribes the functions for the NAWAC:The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) was established in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 1999. Section 63 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 prescribes the functions for the NAEAC.MAF is responsible for advising the Minister of Agriculture on animal welfare policy matters. The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) was established in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 1999.   Section 57 of the Animal Welfare Act prescribes the functions for the NAWAC:The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) was established in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 1999. Section 63 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 prescribes the functions for the NAEAC.

Risk Areas/Issues

Animal Welfare, Animal Disease - General

The principle focus of initiatives to support the welfare of animals is to ensure that at a minimum the management of animals takes account of their 5 basic requirements;

  • Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition
  • Provision of appropriate comfort and shelter
  • Prevention, or rapid diagnosis and treatment of injury, disease or infestation with parasites
  • Freedom from distress
  • Ability to display normal patterns of behaviour.

There are a range of mechanisms to support and monitor compliance to these factors.  

These resources cover all issues associated with animal welfare.