1. National Livestock Transport Standards

A two month public consultation period has commenced on the proposed new standards and guidelines for the land transport of livestock in Australia.

The new Standards will replace the existing Model Codes of Practice for the transport of cattle, horses, pigs and poultry and will also cover sheep, deer, alpacas, ratites and camels. They are in the form of mandatory standards, to be legislated in the same way in each jurisdiction. There are also guidelines to accompany the standards.

Copies of the draft Standards and the Regulatory Impact Statement are being provided on CDROM to all members of the livestock Industry Development Boards and Livestock Advisory Groups, as these are large documents. Responses should be sent, preferably by email, to Animal Health Australia (AHA) by 30 May. There has already been substantial industry consultation in the preparation of these standards, with all of the livestock industries represented as along with saleyard operators and livestock transporters. Kevin de Witte from Animal Health Australia and managing the project and spoke to a small group of Livestock Advisory Group members at Glenside on 2 April and to PIRSA Animal Health staff on 3 April.

Robert Baker from PIRSA Animal Health is a member of the Reference Group and can be contacted for more information on 8207 7802.

1. Animal Welfare Legislation

Within South Australia, the new Animal Welfare Bill has passed through the Legislative Council, but is yet to be debated by the House of Assembly. This is expected to occur in April.

Legislative responsibility for animal welfare in South Australia lies with the Minister for Environment and Conservation and is administered by the Animal Welfare Office of the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH). There is a Memorandum of Understanding between PIRSA, DEH, RSPCA, the Local Government Association and the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation in which PIRSA is given responsibility for assisting the RSPCA in investigation of farm animal welfare matters.

PIRSA's veterinary and animal health officers are inspectors under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1985.

For more information about the content of the legislation contact Deb Kelly, Manager Animal Welfare, DEH on 8124 4801.