Animal welfare
MLA’s animal welfare research programs operate across on-farm, transport, live export and feedlot production.
Investments have been made in building research capacity through the support of PhD students and the provision of international travel fellowships and research is currently being funded in areas such as land transport, husbandry practices, heat stress and communication and education. This program supports the Federal Government’s Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS), and is consistent with the international priorities of the OIE (Office International des Epizooties).The OIE is the world organisation of Animal Health.
Animal welfare R&D program
MLA is committed to investing in animal welfare research which provides tools and knowledge to improve the well-being of Australian livestock and address issues of community concern.
Factual and objective information on animal welfare is essential for the red meat industry to benchmark its performance and assign research priorities. The welfare of sheep, cattle and goats effects the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Australian red meat and livestock industries.
Trade and market access, economics of production, welfare regulation, product integrity and food safety are all interrelated with the management of livestock welfare. In consultation with industry stakeholders, government, researchers and animal welfare groups, MLA has implemented an Animal Welfare Program which focuses on livestock production including on-farm management, livestock handling, transport and product quality. Animal welfare R&D is being undertaken at farm level and in the areas of feedlot production and livestock exports. The livestock export research is jointly funded with Livecorp.
Australian society looks to the livestock industries to continue acting responsibly and ensuring positive animal welfare outcomes. MLA's program is also in line with the International priorities of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), the world animal health organisation, and the Federal Government's national strategic framework, the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS), which promotes and protects the development and adoption of sound animal welfare standards and practices. MLA's Animal Welfare R&D Program forms part of the red meat industry action plan that underpins the AAWS.
The Australian red meat industry is committed to animal welfare along the entire production chain. There are strong links between appropriate animal welfare practices and optimal animal production and profitability. In addition, a growing number of welfare conscious and influential consumers want to be assured that their purchases are from humane production systems. Research and development is closely aligned with all stakeholders from the paddock to the plate. In order to determine priorities in animal welfare, MLA consults a broad range of stakeholders including industry, government, research organisations, the private sector and animal welfare groups.
R&D program aims
The aims of MLA's animal welfare program include:
- Improving the well being of livestock raised under Australian production systems.
- Preventing trade/market access being interrupted by animal welfare concerns.
- Providing innovative, cost effective alternatives to practices that may be considered by the community to adversely effect animal welfare.
- Impacting positively on the efficiency of production, product quality and market access.
- Addressing consumer and regulatory concerns with evidence based science that will help policy makers and the broader community make informed decisions.
- Providing a balance of targeted short-term and applied research and longer term basic science research to enable the livestock industries to be proactive and react quickly in response to arising needs.
- Building the expertise base and knowledge required to support the industry.
More information on R&D investments is available at On-farm Animal Welfare Strategy
Animal welfare legislation in Australia
Each state and territory has its own animal welfare Act and accompanying regulations that affect people who own or work with animals including farmers, livestock transporters, livestock exporters, saleyard personnel and processors.
The regulations include reference to codes of practice (codes) that define what is generally regarded as acceptable welfare practices for livestock husbandry and transport. Compliance with the codes can be used as a defence against a charge of cruelty.
Any person involved in the export of livestock, from farm to vessel, must comply with the new ‘Australian Standards for Export of Livestock’. The Standards can be obtained by phoning the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 02 6272 3933, or website www.daff.gov.au/livestockexportstandards
More information
For information contact the relevant authority in your state or territory:
- Western Australia
DLGRD, Animal Welfare Branch 08 92171500 or WA Department of Agriculture 08 9368 3627
- South Australia
Department of Environment and Heritage 08 8124 4800
- Victoria
Victorian Department of Primary Industries – Manager Animal Health Operations 03 5430 4509 or Bureau of Animal Welfare 03 9217 4200
- New South Wales
NSW Department of Primary Industries 02 6391 3682
- Queensland
Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries 13 25 23
- ACT
Arts, Heritage and Environment 02 6207 2249
- Tasmania
Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment 1300 368 550
- Northern Territory
Department of Local Government, Housing and Sport - Animal Welfare Branch 08 8999 8418
A list of State and Territory Government animal welfare links and legislation is also available from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website
Further information is also available on the following websites:
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