Question On Notice No. 2399 asked in the Legislative Council on 6 May 2010 by Hon Lynn Maclaren
Question Directed to the: Minister for Energy representing the Minister for Local Government
Parliament: 38 Session: 1
Question
In relation to the Department currently being responsible for administering and enforcing the
Animal Welfare Act 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 2002) 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 22 June 2010
The order of priority for review of existing Australian codes of practice for the welfare of animals, including poultry, is decided at a national level by the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in conjunction with Animal Health Australiaand the national Animal Welfare Committee. The State has input to the process via the Department of Agriculture and FoodWAand the Department of Local Government, which administers the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
There is no set date for review of the current Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals - Domestic Poultry (fourth edition 2002); however, given the current national work priorities, it is unlikely the Poultry Code will be reviewed before 2013. When "Codes" are reviewed, there is wide consultation including with welfare groups, industry and the public. The States and Territories then "adopt" these Codes into their relevant animal welfare laws.
Australia is generally seen as a world leader in animal welfare.
The Animal Welfare Act 2002 provides protection from cruelty to poultry in Western Australia and has high penalties, as do the Regulations. The Minister and the Government will continue to give animal welfare a high priority.
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