Newsletters

Fit to trade bulletin

Animal welfare amendments progress through Parliament

DPIRD staff who played a key role in the progression of the Bill through Parliament
DPIRD staff who played a key role in the progression of the Bill through Parliament.

Critical amendments to the Animal Welfare Act 2002 (the Act) passed both houses of Parliament in November 2018, paving the way for the implementation of the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines in Western Australia.

Originally introduced into Parliament in October 2017, the proposed amendments were referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation in March before being reintroduced in September 2018.

Staff from the Animal Welfare Regulation team will now turn their attention to drafting the regulations which will allow the Standards to be enforceable. It is expected that these will be gazetted in 2019.

Western Australia is now the only jurisdiction which has not yet implemented the national Standards and Guidelines for Land Transport of Livestock (2012). These, as well as those for Saleyards and Depots, are expected to be regulated first.

Animal Welfare Director Dr Sarah Kahn said the achievement was a credit to the staff involved, particularly as it was completed against the backdrop of increasing public scrutiny on animal welfare.

“Animal welfare is a complex issue so the passage of the Bill was unlikely to be straightforward,” Dr Kahn said.

“Policy and legal staff showed great flexibility and understanding of the legislation to take the Standing Committee’s feedback on board and present amendments that were universally accepted.

“Ultimately, the ability to regulate the national Standards and Guidelines will improve the welfare of animals in Western Australia by moving away from the focus on acts of cruelty.”

The national Standards set mandatory requirements for the humane treatment of animals. The Guidelines advise on recommended practices but are not mandatory.

The development of Standards and Guidelines includes a process of national consultation with stakeholders, which provides an opportunity for all members of the public and industry to comment on the draft Standards and Guidelines before they are finalised.

The current endorsed Standards and Guidelines are:

• Land Transport (2012)

• Sheep (2016)

• Cattle (2016)

• Animals in Saleyards and Depots (2018).

All states and territories except WA have implemented the Land Transport Standards. The Sheep and Cattle Standards have been implemented in South Australia and New South Wales, and all jurisdictions are considering the implementation of the Standards and Guidelines on Saleyards and Depots. Find out more about the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines online.