Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines

Under the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS), Animal Health Australia (AHA) was commissioned to facilitate the development of nationally consistent standards and guidelines for livestock. The welfare standards and guidelines are based on the revision of the current Model Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Animals (MCOP).

The welfare standards and guidelines for livestock aim to streamline livestock welfare legislation in Australia, ensuring that it is both practical for industry and results in improved welfare outcomes.

Australian producers have always been aware of their responsibilities for livestock welfare. However, increasing awareness among consumers is placing significant pressure on our livestock industries to improve animal welfare. The development of welfare standards and guidelines underpins access to overseas markets and reinforces Australia's international leadership in livestock welfare. Without such change, Australia risks losing consumer confidence and significant national and international markets.

Government and industry have agreed that national standards guidelines are needed and are working cooperatively to develop the standards and guidelines under the AAWS.

The standards

Standards will be the legal requirements for livestock welfare and will use the word ‘must’. The standards will provide the basis for developing and implementing consistent legislation and enforcement across Australia.

The main decision-making principles used for developing the standards are to ensure the standards are:

• desirable for livestock welfare
• feasible for industry and government to implement
• important for the livestock-welfare regulatory framework
• achievable to meet the intended outcome for livestock welfare.

The guidelines

The guidelines are the recommended practices to achieve desirable livestock welfare outcomes. Guidelines will use the word ‘should’ and are designed to complement the standards. Non-compliance with one or more guidelines will not constitute an offence under law.

The process

The development process for the standards and guidelines is transparent and inclusive. Relevant scientific literature, current practice and community expectations are utilised to support an evidence-based approach.

The process involves representatives from livestock industry sectors, animal welfare and research organisations, relevant state and territory government agencies, the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and other stakeholders.

The process follows a business plan for the development of standards and guidelines. Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines Development Business Plan.pdf

The process includes a public consultation stage which provides an opportunity for all members of the public to comment on the draft standards and guidelines before they are finalised. Then only after significant consultation and liaison, will the standards and guidelines progress for endorsement by Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) and implementation by the states and territories.