| Animal Welfare |
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Ensuring good animal health and welfare is a key priority for Australian sheepmeat producers.
The Australian sheepmeat industry is committed to achieving sustainable improvements to livestock welfare.
null SCA recognises that improving animal welfare benefits the sheep industry and demonstrates to the community, consumers and international trading partners that Australian sheep producers are serious about caring for their animals. The industry invests heavily each year in research and development programs and initiatives to improve animal management, nutrition, health and welfare outcomes that are practical and effective for sheepmeat producers.
The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Sheep, initiated by the Federal Government, is a set of new Standards (legislated and enforceable = must) and Guidelines (non-legislative =should) supporting sheep welfare at the farm level in Australia. The standards and guidelines are in their early phase of development and will apply to all sheep farming enterprises in Australia from extensive grazing to fully housed systems. Sheepmeat Council is ensuring that the sheepmeat industry is tightly engaged throughout the development of the Standards and is consulting directly with state farming members to ensure that a practical and realistic outcome is achieved for all sheep producers. A formal consultation process with individual sheep producers and the general public will occur during the public consultation phase. Sheepmeat Council will keep you updated on the dates. SCA continues to lobby the federal and state governments to achieve consistent implementation of the Standards in all stateand territory animal welfare legislation. Learn more about the Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Sheep While the new welfare Standards are being developed, please refer to the current Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals – The Sheep for guidance on best welfare practice of sheep.
View the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals-The Sheep Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS)
SCA has been closely involved in the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS) and is a member of the Livestock and Production Working Group.
Find out more about AAWS Australian Standards and Guidelines for the Welfare of Animals - Land Transport of Livestock The Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock were developed in 2008 and SCA were there to ensure a practical outcome for sheepmeat producers.
SCA has been integrally involved in the development of the Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock. SCA believes that it is crucial that the standards and guidelines achieve good animal welfare outcomes and that they are practical and sustainable for industry to implement nationally.
Fast Facts on the Land Transport Standards Find out more about the development process of the Land Transport Standards |