Your source for Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines
Animal health and well-being are fundamental to the success and sustainability of every farm, and producers are held accountable for their animal’s welfare.
Standards are the legal requirements for livestock welfare and use the word ‘must’. The standards provide the basis for developing and implementing consistent legislation and enforcement across Australia.
The guidelines are the recommended practices to achieve desirable livestock welfare outcomes. Guidelines use the word ‘should’ and are designed to complement the standards. Non-compliance with one or more guidelines will not constitute an offence under the law.
Consideration of contemporary animal welfare science, costs to industry, practicalities, community standards, and international expectations are utilised to support an evidence-based approach.
The development of standards and guidelines follows a process that includes:
Drafting the standards and guidelines:
Varied groups will be formed to be responsible for drafting, guiding, and reviewing the standards and guidelines. The standards and guidelines are developed in consultation with the state and territory governments, livestock industry organisations, animal welfare groups, and the general public.
Public consultation:
A public consultation stage provides an opportunity for all interested parties to have their say on the draft standards and guidelines before they are finalised. The public consultation process includes how the consultation was undertaken, who was consulted, and a summary of views.
Regulation Impact Statement:
A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) is prepared to identify the costs and benefits that the standards and guidelines would have for a range of stakeholders.
Finalisation:
The standards and guidelines then progress for noting/endorsement by governments and then into the regulation stage before the final implementation stage by the Australian states and territories.