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Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Home > Biosecurity > Animal Welfare > Tasmania's Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines

Tasmania's Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines

All states are working towards nationally consistent livestock welfare standards and guidelines. During the transition to the new uniform national approach, there may be some confusion regarding the meaning of the phrase “animal welfare standards”.

Tasmania has long had animal welfare standards that have not been mandatory. They have been official advisory documents that have been used by courts and others to help determine whether a particular action or inaction is a breach of the animal welfare legislation. Under the new system, the official advisory documents are known as “animal welfare guidelines”. The amended Animal Welfare Act also has the capacity to prescribe “animal welfare standards” and these are mandatory – that is, anyone not complying is committing an offence. In summary, under the new uniform national system, the term “standard” has a new meaning - guidelines are “shoulds’ and standards are “musts”.

The previous Tasmanian standards have become “Guidelines” under the new system. The first mandatory animal welfare standards under the new uniform national system are currently in the final stages of development.


Tasmanian Animal Welfare Guidelines
Sheep
Cattle
Deer
Goats
Pigs
Poultry
Horses
Emus
Animals in Saleyards
Road Transport of Livestock within Tasmania
Transport of Livestock across Bass Strait
Trade and Transport of Calves including Bobby Calves
Capture, Handling, Transport of Brush-tail Possums
Wallaby Hunting
Duck Hunting
Intensive Husbandry of Rabbits


Under the new national system being introduced, Tasmania's Animal Welfare Guidelines:
      • Are approved by the Minister under the Animal Welfare Act
      • Are developed and reviewed by the industry, animal welfare groups and Government
      • Will include any nationally agreed guidelines for livestock welfare
      • Set out recommended guidelines for humane treatment of animals
      • Advise people with the care or charge of animals
      • Advise the courts.
Tasmania's Animal Welfare Standards:
      • Are prescribed in the Regulations
      • Are legally binding and enforceable
      • Non compliance is an offence
      • Will include nationally agreed livestock welfare standards (to be enforced in all jurisdictions).

Further Information

Contact: Animal Health and Welfare Branch
Biosecurity and Product Integrity Division
Animal Health and Welfare Branch
13 St Johns Avenue
NEW TOWN TAS 7008
Phone: 03 6233 6875
Email: AnimalWelfareEnquiries@dpipwe.tas.gov.au


Tasmania Online


Tasmania Online | Service Tasmania

This page - http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/LBUN-7VR442?open - was last published on 11 September 2009 by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Questions concerning its content can be sent to AnimalWelfare Enquiries by using the feedback form, by mail to GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7001, or by telephone to 03 6336 5398.

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A text version of this page is also available.