Skip to main content
Home
  • The Legislative Assembly meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Assembly sit 16/04/2024
  • The Legislative Council meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Council sit 16/04/2024
  • The Public Administration meets on 08/04/2024 (10:00 AM)
    Committee meet 08/04/2024

Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 2398 asked in the Legislative Council on 6 May 2010 by Hon Lynn Maclaren

Question Directed to the: Minister for Child Protection representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food
Parliament: 38 Session: 1


Question
As one of the members of the Primary Industries Ministerial Council, which endorsed the introduction of the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals - Domestic Poultry (fourth edition), in 2002, I ask -
(1) Can the Minister confirm in the introduction of the current Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals - Domestic Poultry (fourth edition) it states, ‘This Code of Practice will be further reviewed in 2010 although an earlier review will be implemented if technologies offering significant welfare benefits are available’?

(2) Will the Government keep its stated commitment made in the current Domestic Poultry Code of Practice, to further review this code in 2010?

(3) When will the Code of Practice be reviewed?

(4) Is the Minister aware Australia is already considerably behind welfare developments, in the European Union, where the battery cage will be banned from 1 January 2012?

(5) How do the stocking densities of meat chicken compare between Western Australia and the European Union?

(6) How do the housing standards of meat chickens compare between Western Australia and the European Union?

(7) Can the Department summarise the scientific evidence, which the European Union decisions were based on, which led to the significant changes in stocking densities, and housing standards?

(8) How many letters has the Department received in relation to community concern in Western Australia, relating to the welfare of intensively farmed animals, since the Code was introduced in 2002?

(9) How many birds does the Domestic Poultry Code of Practice impact on in Western Australia per year?

(10) Given that the Domestic Poultry Code impacts on such high numbers, (the largest animal production area), is the welfare of poultry one that the Minister will undertake to prioritise?

Answered on 15 June 2010




 

Department of Agriculture and Food

(1) Yes.

(2) Agreement on regulations to give effect to the important sections of the poultry code has only recently been enacted in some jurisdictions. This has meant that the code and associated regulations have not been in effect for long enough to provide useful information on their impact. 

The order in which Model Codes of Practice for the welfare of livestock are reviewed and converted to Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines is determined by a process established under the national Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) system. Animal Health Australia (AHA) manages this process in partnership with the national Animal Welfare Committee. The latter committee continues to reassess the priority for work to be done on animal welfare codes and Standards and Guidelines.

Given the current national work priorities, I understand that Animal Welfare Committee and the other parties involved in the process nationally do not favour a review of the poultry code at this time.

(3) It is unlikely the Poultry Code will be reviewed before 2013

(4) The European Union Council Directive 1999/74/EC bans the use of conventional cages (550 cubic centimetres / hen) from 1 January 2012 in member states. After that date cage systems will still be allowed, but must be 'enriched' cages which are larger (750 cubic centimetres / hen).

The Australian Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals - Domestic Poultry 4th Edition stipulates minimum floor space requirements, and this varies depending on the weight of the hens, and the number of hens per cage.

Space requirements for caged commercial poultry in Western Australia are regulated in the Animal Welfare (Commercial Poultry) Regulations 2008. Minimum cage sizes are based on floor area, with a minimum height of 35cm. I refer you to the regulations for details.

(5) European Union Council Directive 2007/43/CE of 28 June 2007 sets a maximum stocking density of 33 kg / square metre, or 39 kg / square metre if stricter welfare standards are met. Member states are required to legislate and implement these standards by June 2010.

The Australian Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals - Domestic Poultry 4th Edition stipulates 28 to 40 kg / square metre depending on housing type, cooling system and time of year.

(6) Housing standards for broilers cover many issues, such as litter, ventilation, heating, light and cleaning. Detailing all of these issues is not possible in this reply, but I refer you to the following documents:

(i) EU standards to be in place by 30 June 2010 are contained in EU Council Directive 2007/43/EC of 28 June 2007; and

(ii) Australian standards are contained in the Australian Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals - Domestic Poultry 4th Edition.

(7) The Department of Agriculture and Food is not in a position to search and summarise scientific evidence that was, or may have been used by the European Union in their decision making.

(8) The Department of Agriculture and Food does not keep a record of the number of queries received on the welfare of intensively farmed animals.

(9) The Domestic Poultry Code of Practice Impacts on approximately 43 Million poultry (including layer and meat chickens) in Western Australia each year.

(10) I refer the Hon Member to my answer to questions (2) and (3) above.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on http://www.rtlib.com