News

Australian ag ministers commit to joint statement on animal welfare

Guest Author 11/03/2024

Commonwealth, state, and territory agriculture ministers have met and confirmed their commitment to jointly lead the renewal of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS), and to develop a National Statement on Animal Welfare.

The announcement also coincided with the formal launch and commencement of public consultation on the renewal of the AAWS.

The national statement will reflect the shared commitment by Federal, State and Territory Ministers to jointly lead the renewal of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy and to work together with animal industries and non-government organisations to demonstrate Australia’s strong commitment to animal welfare.

Murray Watt

Murray Watt

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt, said the national statement will signal to Australians and our international trading partners that national collaboration on animal welfare priorities is a shared goal of all governments.

“The National Statement on Animal Welfare will provide a snapshot of the challenges and opportunities in animal welfare in Australia while cementing a commitment to working towards a vision for sustainable improvements”, Minister Watt said.

“Animal welfare is the responsibility of all governments and we know that a strong animal welfare system relies on collaboration across the board.

“This includes state and territory governments, who largely regulate animal welfare, but all levels of government and everyone that interacts with animals in their everyday life, whether you are an animal owner or carer, researcher, veterinarian, transporter, fisher or farmer.”

The Australian Government committed $5 million across 4 years (2023-2027) to the development of a renewed AAWS in the May 2023 Budget, with the objective of providing a framework for a national approach to animal welfare in Australia.

Ministers have agreed on a framework for the development of the strategy, including a set of overarching principles for a national governance model to ensure the strategy includes priorities and actions that are responsive and adaptive to modern challenges, opportunities and science.

The National Statement on Animal Welfare will be a key milestone in the strategy’s development and will also acknowledge the good work already underway in promoting strong animal welfare outcomes across a broad range of animal species.

The National Statement on Animal Welfare will be developed during 2024.

Meanwhile, consultation for the renewed Australian Animal Welfare Strategy opened today and closes on May 20.

This new version will be released in chapters, each dedicated to one of six animal groups with the final strategy expected to be released in 2027.

“Animals are important for Australia socially, culturally, and economically,” Minister Watt said.

“They are our companions, providers of assistance, contributors to health and ecological well-being, and suppliers of essential food and fibre resources.

“The renewed strategy will provide a future plan for animal welfare in Australia to address community and international expectations – helping us gain greater market access and maintain current trade wins by showcasing and maturing Australia’s national approach to animal welfare.

“I encourage stakeholders and the public to get involved and provide their feedback on what the development of the renewed AAWS will look like.”

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Comments

  1. Matthew Della Gola, 12/03/2024

    To coin the late Mr packer. If you are going to introduce more policy and red tape how about you get rid of some first. Whilst corporate ponzi schemes can handle all of this burden due to there unlimited resources small essential family farms dont have such resources to comply with every piece of feel good legislation. Cheers Matthew Della Gola

  2. Peter Dunn, 11/03/2024

    This must fly a red flag for every livestock farmer in Australia.

  3. Charles Nason, 11/03/2024

    You have to wonder about policy wrt agriculture
    There are high suicide rates in rural areas and vets also have high suicide rates
    Maybe vets are under stress due to listening to stressed producers
    So here we are worrying about animal welfare when the people who look after them are under all sorts of stress
    Have we got our priorities right?

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