Livestock Welfare

Australia has high standards of livestock welfare and is committed to a process of continuous improvement. Changes in national and international attitudes to livestock management practices provide a stimulus for livestock producers to further improve livestock welfare management.

Animal Health Australia (AHA) is committed to achieving good animal welfare and has established the Livestock Welfare program as part of its core business. AHA does not have any regulatory responsibility for livestock welfare but contributes to improving livestock welfare through participation in policy development and by facilitating liaison between stakeholder groups. 

AHA works within the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS) (http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health) which sets the strategic direction for livestock welfare in Australia. As part of the strategy, the AHA Livestock Welfare program is coordinating a major review of livestock welfare model codes of practice and their conversion into livestock welfare standards. The process follows a business plan for the development of standards and guidelines. Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines Development Business Plan.pdf

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.

Current Australian Welfare Standards and Guidelines development projects

Information about the development of the new standards and guidelines, including working drafts and a history of the project, can be found at www.animalwelfarestandards.net.au; this site is managed by AHA.

Cattle - project commenced in late 2008

Land Transport Standards - endorsed by the Primary Industries Ministerial Council in May 2009

Sheep - project commenced in late 2008

Further information available at www.animalwelfarestandards.net.au

Page updated: 5 February 2010