With just over two weeks left until the window for public comment on draft Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle and Sheep closes, producers are being urged to have their say.

The development of the standards and guidelines is a joint government and industry initiative coordinated by Animal Health Australia (AHA).

Peak industry councils including the Cattle Council of Australia have been involved in the drafting of the documents.

The Welfare Standards, when adopted, will provide nationally consistent rules for the care and management of livestock across all farming enterprises in Australia.

The Welfare Standards cover the full range of cattle and sheep management practices where welfare is a consideration, including spaying, dehorning, castration, mulesing and tail docking.

Once adopted, the Welfare Standards will become law within the States and Territories. 

The Guidelines, however, are recommended practices to achieve desirable animal welfare outcomes.

The opportunity to provide input into the community consultation process for the draft Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle and for Sheep and the associated Regulation Impact Statement closes on May 6, 2013.

The Cattle Council of Australia is encouraging producers to have their say because the outcomes will have a direct impact on the industry.

To view the draft standards and guideslines and for details on how to comment, click here