26 June 2024
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601
To Whom it May Concern,
Re: Renewal of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy
AgForce is a peak organisation representing Queensland’s cane, cattle, grain and sheep, wool & goat producers. The cane, beef, broadacre cropping and sheep, wool & goat industries in Queensland generated around $10.4 billion in on-farm value of production in 2021-22. AgForce’s purpose is to advance sustainable agribusiness and strives to ensure the long-term growth, viability, competitiveness and profitability of these industries. Over 6,500 farmers, individuals and businesses provide support to AgForce through membership. Our members own and manage around 55 million hectares, or a third of the state’s land area. Queensland producers provide high-quality food and fibre to Australian and overseas consumers, contribute significantly to the social fabric of regional, rural and remote communities, as well as deliver stewardship of the state’s natural environment.
The AgForce Sheep, Wool and Goats Board and the AgForce Cattle Board welcome the opportunity to provide a submission to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) discussion paper on the renewal of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS).
AgForce has consistently called on and supported the federal government to uphold their responsibilities to develop agricultural policy that are based on science and evidence, considering costs to industry and stakeholder comments. However recent actions by the federal government have called into question whether the government is interested in evidence-based animal welfare that works collaboratively and is inclusive with agriculture. The surprise announcement, made by the federal government on 11 May 2024 to phase out live sheep exports by sea by May 2028, demonstrates a wilful ignorance of evidence and data, shows gross indifference for regional communities and was disingenuous to affected communities and industries. Furthermore, the lack of resolution, a consequence of the federal government’s unwillingness to settle the long-running northern producer class action against the impulsive, and irresponsible 2011 live export ban, reveals the federal government’s blatant lack of interest, and callous approach to working with the agriculture. There is justifiable concern then that the same abrogation of responsibility from the federal government and supplication to uniformed or malicious non-industry voices will impact future decision making on national animal welfare policy and regulation, including the development of a workable and fair renewed AAWS.
Therefore, it is imperative that the renewal of the AAWS has genuine and legitimate engagement with industry, and is founded on science-based, strategic and inclusive policy that underpins and supports future development of the prosperous and sustainable Australian livestock industry.
Key principles that need to be considered in the renewal of the AAWS include:
Australian welfare standards must be science-based and sensitive to local contexts and practicalities
- The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines must continue to be informed by scientific evidence and practical industry experience.
National welfare policy and regulation should be science-based and fit for an Australian context
- The renewal of the AAWS must be underscored by the need for national animal welfare discourse, policy and regulation to be informed by science, evidence and pragmatism, rather than emotion-driven judgements about industry practices or industries as a whole.
Animal activist views do not have a legitimate place in welfare policy and regulation
- Animal activist groups that are driven by an anti-production animal agenda do not have a legitimate place in development of policy and standards for animal welfare. The objectives of these groups are at odds with the objectives of a national system for animal welfare, and with the existence of a sustainable livestock production sector.
- While AgForce acknowledges that the Australian Government has an obligation to run a public consultation process, the views of animal activist groups are fundamentally irreconcilable with the objectives underpinning the development of a national animal welfare system.
- As the primary custodians of production animals’ welfare, the agricultural sector is engaging in the development of this strategy in good faith, with a well-established and genuine commitment to pursing continuous improvement in animal welfare outcomes. Anti-livestock production views and agendas are not conducive to practical strategy outcomes underpinned by unbiased, current, evidence-based scientific advice and practical, industry experience.
Industry is responsible for welfare management and maintaining community trust
- Livestock industries have responsibility for managing the welfare of production animals and are best placed to promote and drive continuous improvement in welfare outcomes.
- Producers value the trust that the community places in them and know that community acceptance of the way they care for animals is essential to livestock industry success.
Livestock
Australian sheep, goat and cattle producers understand the importance of being aware of and responsive to community expectations about how animals are cared for. Furthermore, Australia has a proud record of achievement in livestock welfare innovation and adoption of new technologies and has laws and regulations that create a framework for the industry to uphold as a benchmark of animal welfare.
The Australian Industry Standards and Guidelines for Sheep;1 the Australian Industry Standards and Guidelines for Goats;2 and the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle3 specify the legal standards of management and husbandry required to protect and maintain the welfare of livestock in Australia. They apply to all those responsible for the care and management of sheep, goats and cattle, cover various welfare requirements in relation to: feed and water; risk management in extreme weather, natural disasters, disease, injury and predation; facilities and equipment; handling, management and husbandry; breeding management; and humane killing.
Conclusion
Australian farmers strive to be recognised as global leaders in livestock management by using science-based best practice methods of husbandry based on agreed national minimum welfare standards. This is evidenced by the industry-driven reform of the live sheep export trade, with significant improvements being made in animal welfare onboard vessels. Given the indifference to the outstanding improvements and performance of the trade since 2018 and the lack of consultation and due diligence completed by the government when recommitting to the policy, an alarming precedent has been set for future agricultural policy decision-making.
The renewed AAWS has the potential to begin the long road to reparations of trust and listen where the Federal government has recently and continuously failed.
Producers are at the forefront of animal welfare and understand that the health and wellbeing of their animals is fundamental to a sustainable industry – and of critical importance to stakeholders. As a result, good animal welfare is enshrined in industry accreditation systems, best practice guides and risk management tools. The policy decisions made for Australian agriculture must reflect this, and be evidence-based, strategic, inclusive and collaborative. To divert from this threatens the future of the industry, businesses, families and communities. Government has a responsibility to ensure that no Australian is worse off or left behind.
We thank the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for the opportunity to provide comment on behalf of the 6,500 farmers, individuals and businesses that support AgForce Queensland Farmers.
Please do not hesitate to contact AgForce Sheep, Wool and Goats Policy Director, Jaime Colley, colleyj@agforceqld.org.au or 0428 889 052; or AgForce Cattle Policy Director Daniel Counsell: counselld@agforceqld.org.au or 0429 649 881, should you wish to consult further.
Yours sincerely,
Stephen Tully (AgForce Sheep Board President) and Peter Hall (AgForce Cattle Board)
1 https://animalwelfarestandards.net.au/welfare-standards-and-guidelines/sheep/
2 https://animalwelfarestandards.net.au/welfare-standards-and-guidelines/goats/
3 https://animalwelfarestandards.net.au/welfare-standards-and-guidelines/cattle/