Animal welfare: RSPCA call for national leadership as livestock standards stalled

The RSPCA wants the Federal Government to lead the states in implementing new standards for livestock agreed to five years ago. But the Feds say it’s not their responsibility.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud says it’s not the Government’s responsibility to make sure welfare standards for livestock are implemented.

Animal welfare advocacy RSPCA Australia says the Federal Government is “missing in action” on welfare standards for livestock.

The organisation has accused the Commonwealth of failing to show leadership to get the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines implemented, five years after they were first agreed to.

But Agriculture Minister David Littleproud says it’s not the Government’s responsibility.

“Under Australia’s constitution, the Commonwealth’s responsibility is limited to animal welfare in relation to exports,” Mr Littleproud said.

”State governments are responsible for animal welfare within their jurisdictions.”

The standards were agreed to by all states and territories in 2016; since then, just NSW and SA have introduced them.

RSPCA senior policy adviser Jed Goodfellow said while states had to implement them, the Federal Government had a role to co-ordinate and lead their progress.

“The Australian Government has been largely missing in action since 2013 when it withdrew funding for the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy, (and) removed the Animal Welfare branch within the Department of Agriculture,” he said.

“There is responsibility to be borne here from both levels of government.”

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi echoed those views.

“Livestock industries operate across state borders and consistent standards will go a long way to ensuring compliance,” she said.

“The Commonwealth should be taking a much more active role in ensuring implementation, not abrogating its responsibility.”

Mr Littleproud said the Federal Government’s role was to facilitate the standards’ development, while states determined how and when they were put into law.