Animal Welfare Strategy back on track despite widening polarisation

The federal government has released a new national statement on animal welfare, four months after the last iteration was torn-up.

Renewal of Australia’s Animal Welfare Strategy is underway despite a breakdown in relations between farmers and animal welfare organisations.

The Albanese Government’s 2023 federal budget provided $5 million to kickstart work on a new AWS that lapsed a decade ago after the Abbott Government withdrew funding.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s release of a report in August on the outcome of consultation on the new strategy revealed progress was being hampered by polarising views among stakeholders.

But headway has been made with the release on Friday of a new national statement on animal welfare, which is designed to set the vision and key priorities for Australia’s animal welfare system.

The statement prioritises the development and adoption of animal welfare practices and standards that are underpinned by science and evidence.

It is unclear whether animal sentience will be recognised in the new strategy, as Victoria is currently canvassing.

It has been welcomed by National Farmers’ Federation president David Jochinke who said it could be the catalyst to rebuilding trust with farmers on animal welfare policy.

“To achieve meaningful improvements, animal welfare policies must be based on evidence, science, and developed in collaboration with farmers, who work with animals every day. We welcome the national statement’s vision which recognises this fact,” Mr Jochinke said.

“We reiterate that any efforts to enhance animal welfare must be grounded in unbiased, current, evidence-based science and guided by practical industry expertise.”

DAFF said the national statement had been informed by broad consultation across the animal welfare system, including with animal industries, animal handlers, non-government organisations, veterinarians, research bodies, First Nations organisations and the government.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins says the new national statement demonstrates the priority animal welfare is given in Australia. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“The renewed Australian Animal Welfare Strategy will signal to Australian consumers and our international trading partners that animal welfare is a priority for Australia,” federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said.

“This strategy will also maintain Australia’s commitment to modern, sustainable, science and evidence-based animal welfare practices, which will support increased access to overseas markets while strengthening the reputation of our animal and agricultural industries with trading partners.”

The long-awaited for AWS will be released in stages according to animal groups over the next three years.

The first chapter on livestock and production animals will be released next year.

The release of the national statement comes four months after it was revealed that a draft version was torn up after it failed to achieve enough support.