CONTENTS Livestock Welfare Australian Livestock Welfare Standards and Guidelines Land Transport of Livestock Animal Welfare Legislation - Codes of Practice and Standards

Note - The Land Transport Standards are now available for public comment. For more information on the public consultation process please see http://www.animalwelfarestandards.net.au/.

The focus at Animal Health Australia (AHA) is primarily on livestock health and welfare issues. 

Changes in national and international attitudes to livestock management practices present a challenge to livestock producers to further improve livestock welfare management.  Australia has high standards of livestock welfare and is committed to a process of continuous improvement with advances in scientific knowledge and community expectations.

AHA's role in improving livestock welfare is through participation in policy development.  AHA is a member of the Animal Welfare Working Group (AWWG) a subcommittee of Animal Health Committee.

In 2004 the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS) was agreed by all stakeholders and set the scene for the future strategic direction of livestock welfare.  AHA fully endorses the AAWS.  The AAWS supports processes that can achieve sustainable improvements in livestock welfare based on national and international benchmarks, scientific evaluation and research, and changes in community values.  Further information on the AAWS is available at:  http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health

A major agreed outcome of the AAWS was the review of model codes of practice and their conversion into livestock welfare standards.  AHA has an important support and coordination role in achieving this outcome and will manage the development of the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines.  This activity is the major component of the AHA Livestock Welfare Program.  The standards development project is closely aligned with the AAWS project which seeks consistent implementation of livestock welfare laws under jurisdiction's animal welfare regulatory arrangements. 

AHA has also developed AUSVETPLAN Operational Procedures Manuals on humane destruction and livestock welfare management found here: /programs/eadp/ausvetplan_home.cfm.  These manuals provide important advice on animal welfare issues in an emergency animal disease response.  All AUSVETPLAN manuals have some degree of animal welfare consideration.

AHA also provides advice and contributes to other livestock welfare issues.

Livestock are defined as farmed domesticated animals.  In Australia this includes; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, donkeys, poultry, alpacas, emus, ostriches, deer, camels, and water buffalo.

Page Updated: 9 October 2007