International

Australia - Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS)

March, 2007

• Purpose
• Context
• Scope
• Objectives
• Definitions
• Accountability
• Implementation
• Of Note to Canada
• Ressources

Purpose

The purpose of Australia’s Animal Welfare Strategy is to provide direction for the development of future welfare policies based on a national consultative process and to clarify the roles and responsibilities of key community, industry and government organizations.

Context

• Australia already has a strong framework for establishing and enforcing acceptable animal welfare outcomes with contemporary and comprehensive national, state, territory and local animal welfare legislation
• The strategy builds on historic and existing animal welfare arrangements and recognizes the connection between animal welfare, and animal health and production
• The strategy will provide the national and international communities with an appreciation of Australian animal welfare arrangements and outline directions for future improvements in animal welfare
• Biosecurity controls are already in place to protect animal health, animal welfare and human health

Scope

This Strategy covers all sentient animals, their care, the use of, and the impacts (direct/ indirect) of human activity, including:

•  Animals used for:
• research
• companionship
• teaching
• producing food, fibre and other products
• recreation
• entertainment and display
• Guide dogs
• Wild animals (native/introduced/feral)
• Aquatic animals

Objectives

The objectives of Australian Animal Welfare Strategy include:

• Maintain and improve the current high standards of animal welfare with consistent legislation across the states and territories of Australia
• Gain the support of administrative and planning mechanisms 
• Ensure effective and timely implementation and monitoring, and involve all stakeholders in ownership of this Strategy
• Develop national training competencies and standards in order to influence the attitudes, skills and knowledge of animal handlers
• Improve awareness and monitor animal welfare development within Australia and internationally

Definitions

• Australia is in line with OIE Guiding principles for animal welfare which recognizes the Five Freedoms (British Farm Animal Welfare Council):
• freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition
• freedom from fear and distress
• freedom from physical and thermal discomfort
• freedom from pain, injury and disease, and
• freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour
• Animals under human care/influence must be healthy, properly fed, comfortable and will benefit from  improvements in their living conditions as necessary

Accountability

• The Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) will monitor, review and report on the progress of the implementation
• PIMC will coordinate development of  the AAWS Implementation Plan in consultation with key stakeholders

Implementation

Implementation priorities include:

• Establishing an Australian Animal Welfare Strategy Advisory Committee
• Preparing specific action plans for:
  • Livestock and production animals
  • Animals used for work/ sports
  • Recreation or display animals
  • Animals in the wild
  • Aquatic animals
  • Companion animals
  • Animals used in research and teaching
• Developing a communication plan to increase awareness and recognition of the importance of sound animal welfare standards and practices
• Achieving consistent Australian animal welfare requirements, based on national and international benchmarks, and scientific evaluation and research
• Establishing new national reporting and monitoring systems for animal welfare
• All 3 tiers of government in Australia are responsible for animal welfare: states and territories (primary  responsibility), federal and local
• The AAWS Implementation Plan will include specific action plans, identify lead agencies and any necessary additional resources and funding, and provide a basis for national coordination of the strategy and report on the progress of implementation

Of Note to Canada

• Australian Animal Welfare Strategy applies a consistent approach to animal welfare in all states and territories, by developing and revising codes of practice and legislation when needed
• The Strategy seeks to promote ownership and responsibility by the entire Australian community and strives to ensure a formal process for community involvement in the development and implementation of welfare standards

Resources:

• http://www.daff.gov.au/animalwelfare