THE Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association (KPCA) has cautiously welcomed mandatory standards to the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
The State government is seeking changes to the act, which will enable standards to be mandatory and legally enforced in WA and will ensure a national, consistent approach to animal welfare.
Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan has taken action to adopt National Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for livestock in WA.
KPCA chairman David Stoate said the association supported the minister’s proactive approach to the agriculture and food portfolio.
“We look forward to the positive changes to the industry as a result of her actions,” Mr Stoate said.
“Animal management and welfare standards need to keep pace with industry best practice which is constantly evolving.
“For the most part, the industry is aware and accepting of those changes for the better.
“The KPCA and its members are looking to continuously improve animal welfare.”
Mr Stoate said while they supported the move, they were cautious over changes in the north.
“It needs to be remembered that standard practices in the northern beef industry can differ from practices within the southern industry due to the extensive nature of operations, and risks posed by unmanaged or feral cattle,” he said.
“For that reason, it is very important that any regulation of standards and guidelines recognise and account for the differences in industry best practice in the northern beef industry.
“KPCA welcomes the opportunity to work collaboratively with the minister in highlighting some of these issues and working with indusry to improve animal welfare.”
Act amendments will put WA into line with the rest of the country on welfare standards for livestock.
A series of national standards and guidelines on treatment of livestock have been endorsed after extensive consultation with State and Territory governments and industry, but these cannot be implemented in WA without amending the act.
The amendments include;
p Heat load risk assessment – where a person in charge must do a risk assessment each year for the heat load risk at the feedlot, and implement appropriate actions to manage ongoing heat load risk. A person in charge must have a documented Excessive Heat Load Action Plan.
p Feedlot records – the diet composition and quantity of cattle in feedlots must be recorded and records kept for the life of the cattle.
p Working dogs must be muzzled – in relation to transporting livestock, dogs that habitually bite must be muzzled when working livestock.
p Water for livestock during transport – limits will be placed on the time for which livestock do not have access to water during transport.
National standards and guidelines for livestock transport were endorsed in 2012, but WA and the Australian Capital Territory are the only jurisdictions not regulating them.
Further standards for cattle welfare were endorsed in January 2016 and other States and Territories are progressing implementation.
Ms MacTiernan said there would be further consultation with the State’s livestock industries on the approach to implementing the standards.
“This is an important step to take animal welfare in WA beyond just the ‘prevention of cruelty’ by introducing enforceable minimum standards for animal care and management,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“The former government dropped the ball here; it’s been more than four years since the livestock transport standards were agreed upon nationally, and nothing has been done to enact the standards in WA.
“Strong animal welfare and productivity in the agricultural sector go hand-in-hand.
“These standards will strengthen the industry and pave the way for a sustainable sector.
“Our producers take the care and welfare of animals seriously and this will further support them in managing their livestock businesses to community expectations.”
