Have your say on new poultry guidelines

THE community and interested parties can now have their say on the draft Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for

Poultry and the associated Regulation Impact Statement (RIS), with a 90-day public consultation commencing today.

The draft standards mark a significant step forward in poultry welfare in Australia, moving from the existing voluntary system to national regulation.

Kathleen Plowman, Animal Health Australia CEO, said public consultation provides an important opportunity for the community and stakeholders to comment on the draft welfare standards, and on how the associated RIS identifies the key costs and benefits for poultry producers, governments and the wider community.

“Once finalised, the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for

Poultry will provide the basis for new regulation to enhance poultry welfare in all Australian states and territories, so we urge producers and the wider community to provide input on the draft document,” she said.

The development of the draft Australian Animal Welfare Standards and

Guidelines for Poultry began in 2015, project managed by AHA, with governments, peak livestock industry bodies and welfare organisations involved in the process.

“As a result of this scientifically-based collaboration, the draft document provides welfare guidance on 10 different aspects of animal husbandry specific to the poultry industry.

Submissions should be emailed to publicconspoultry @animalhealthaustralia. com.au or posted to Animal Welfare Standards Public Consultation, PO Box 5116, Braddon, ACT, 2612.

Further details can be found at www.animalwelfare standards.net.au/poultry/ poultry-public-consultation.