Animal welfare Animal welfare, including domestic animal management, is a sensitive and complex field. It is a key government priority. Animal welfare legislation The Minister for Agriculture has identified animal welfare as a key priority and initiated To meet the community’s expectations and a range of reform activities. These include a protect the welfare of animals in Victoria, five-year action plan and a new animal welfare Agriculture Victoria provides a regulatory legislative framework. framework to underpin animal welfare practices. Key activities in 2016 included the release of the Draft Animal Welfare Action Plan Agriculture Victoria administers legislation 2017–2022 for public consultation. An covering cruelty to animals and animal welfare online platform was established as the management, including the: portal for consultation. Stakeholder and Domestic Animals Act 1994 community Domestic Animals Regulations 2005 feedback demonstrated strong support for the Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 action plan. Impounding of Livestock Regulations 2008 Market research was conducted to identify the Livestock Management Act 2010 of the Victorian community with regard to Livestock Management Regulations animal welfare. This identified that 75% of 2011 respondents felt that more needed to be done Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to protect the welfare of animals. Act 1986 Prevention of Cruelty to Work to review and develop new animal Animals Regulations 2008 welfare legislation will commence in 2017. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Domestic Fowl) Regulations 2006. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 Agriculture Victoria manages animal welfare and domestic animal legislation and policy The purpose of the Prevention of Cruelty to matters involving the Australian and Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act) and Victorian governments, local government, supporting legislation is to prevent cruelty to animal welfare agencies and the community animals, encourage considerate treatment, in Victoria. It also provides executive and improve the level of community services to those responsible for the Animal awareness about preventing cruelty to Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) and animals. There the National Animal Welfare Task Group. are two main parts to the POCTA Act: the AWAC members are appointed based on first relates to general cruelty provisions, and their the second to using animals in research and skills and expertise in animal welfare for a teaching. of animal species and industries. The committee’s role is to provide the Minister for General cruelty provisions Agriculture with expert and strategic advice on issues relating to animal welfare (see Agriculture Victoria develops policy and Appendix A). legislation relating to the welfare of all species and all uses of animals, regularly advising Animal welfare reform stakeholders on animal welfare legislation
Animal welfare Animal welfare, including domestic animal management, is a sensitive and complex field. It is a key government priority. Animal welfare legislation To meet the community’s expectations and protect the welfare of animals in Victoria, Agriculture Victoria provides a regulatory framework to underpin animal welfare practices. Agriculture Victoria administers legislation covering cruelty to animals and animal welfare management, including the: Domestic Animals Act 1994 Domestic Animals Regulations 2005 Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 Impounding of Livestock Regulations 2008 Livestock Management Act 2010 Livestock Management Regulations 2011 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Domestic Fowl) Regulations 2006. Agriculture Victoria manages animal welfare and domestic animal legislation and policy matters involving the Australian and Victorian governments, local government, animal welfare agencies and the community in Victoria. It also provides executive services to those responsible for the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) and the National Animal Welfare Task Group. AWAC members are appointed based on their skills and expertise in animal welfare for a of animal species and industries. The committee’s role is to provide the Minister for Agriculture with expert and strategic advice on issues relating to animal welfare (see Appendix A). Animal welfare reform The Minister for Agriculture has identified animal welfare as a key priority and initiated a range of reform activities. These include a five-year action plan and a new animal welfare legislative framework. Key activities in 2016 included the release of the Draft Animal Welfare Action Plan 2017–2022 for public consultation. An online platform was established as the portal for consultation. Stakeholder and community feedback demonstrated strong support for the action plan. Market research was conducted to identify the of the Victorian community with regard to animal welfare. This identified that 75% of respondents felt that more needed to be done to protect the welfare of animals. Work to review and develop new animal welfare legislation will commence in 2017. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 The purpose of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act) and supporting legislation is to prevent cruelty to animals, encourage considerate treatment, and improve the level of community awareness about preventing cruelty to animals. There are two main parts to the POCTA Act: the first relates to general cruelty provisions, and the second to using animals in research and teaching. General cruelty provisions Agriculture Victoria develops policy and legislation relating to the welfare of all species and all uses of animals, regularly advising stakeholders on animal welfare legislation
Animal-Health-in-Victoria-2016_Text-only.docx