1st FAO GLOBAL MULTI-STAKEHOLDERS FORUM ON ANIMAL WELFARE Session 1 - Sharing Successful Practices And Experiences: The Voice of The Government Institutions An Australian Perspective Presented by Jim Paradice, Manager – International Animal Welfare

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry An Australian Government department DAFF works to sustain the way of life and prosperity of all Australians It does this by advising the government and stakeholders how to improve the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of the portfolio industries DAFF helps people and goods move in and out of Australia while managing the risks to the environment and animal, plant and human health

Australia – a snapshot Population 22.7m, continent is ‘same size’ as USA A federation - national government does not have jurisdiction for animal welfare Six states and two territories – responsible for welfare laws Significant administrative role of local government Compliance and enforcement often devolved to NGOs (RSPCA etc)

Australian Animal Welfare Strategy - Australia’s blueprint to improve animal welfare - across the entire community - all uses of animals Federal Government providing approx. $1million/yr ( ) Shared funds/lots of in-kind Development of national Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines (land transport) Supporting the OIE’s Regional Animal Welfare Strategy for Asia, the Far East and Oceania Australian Livestock Export Trade Reform Current Animal Welfare Activities

Establish the high level Australian Animal Welfare Advisory Committee Support the conversion of animal welfare model codes into enforceable national standards Australian Livestock Export Trade Reform including implementation of the Export Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) Implement the Improving Animal Welfare Program supporting animal welfare improvement initiatives in eligible importing countries Promoting the adoption of OIE animal welfare standards Other Animal Welfare Initiatives

Other activities and objectives of DAFF DAFF is active throughout the entire supply chain, from producer to consumer Develop and deliver policies and programs that help Australia’s agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry industries Protects these industries by providing quarantine and inspection services and export certification Protects and develops the natural resource base Negotiates access to international markets Provides independent research, policy analysis, forecasts and advice (scientific advice, social analysis and science-based quarantine and policy advice) Represents the Australian Government at international meetings

Animal Welfare 3 rd Party Verification The new Export Supply Chain Assurance System process relies on auditing and verification by independent auditors Australia is regularly audited by trading partners on compliance for animal health and veterinary public health in Australian export establishments / abattoirs Within Australian jurisdictions verification and animal welfare inspection is outsourced to RSPCA Australia recognises a co-regulation framework for third-party audit for livestock industry quality assurance programs

Animal Welfare Goals Successful Implementation of phase 2 of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy including the delivery of an enhanced communications framework to improve community understanding Delivering Australia’s livestock export trade reforms with partners involved in the trade and the Export Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) Working with other governments, international agencies, industry and NGOs to build capacity and to address animal welfare risks arising from poor animal handling, transport and slaughter The Australian Government’s position on stunning is clear; we believe that stunning delivers better animal welfare outcomes when used appropriately

Partnerships Delivery of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy involves a partnership between government, industry and animal welfare advocacy groups Establishment of the New Zealand/Australia OIE Collaborating Centre on Animal Welfare Science and Bioethical Analysis (capacity building, training, scientific advice) through a partnership of government and research providers Australia’s new live export framework is being delivered through exporters working in partnership with commercial partners in importing countries to ensure supply chains meet the new requirements DAFF is working in partnership with the OIE on the RAWS and the Improving Animal Welfare Program

Successful activities/experiences Development and implementation of national and regional animal welfare strategies Including the establishment of national animal welfare committees to provide advice to government Strategies to be developed and implemented as a partnership between government, industry, animal welfare advocacy groups and the community

Successful activities/experiences Strongly support OIE efforts to promote the OIE’s animal welfare standards and to develop and implement regional animal welfare strategies Work to promote the adoption of competent stunning practices at slaughter to deliver improved animal welfare outcomes The jointly managed New Zealand/Australia OIE Collaborating Centre on Animal Welfare Science and Bioethical Analysis (capacity building, training, scientific advice) may be a model for cooperation Supporting industry in making sustainable changes to welfare practices. Support for education and training and research and development (especially to underpin standards).

Successful activities/experiences Promoting a new regulatory framework for livestock exports: Animal welfare outcomes should meet world standards Responsibility for implementing the new framework lies with Australian livestock exporters. Exporters work with commercial partners in importing countries to ensure supply chains meet the new regulatory requirements. A phase-in approach to implementation across markets Australia welcomes all efforts to improve animal handling and processing and stand ready to work cooperatively with other governments to resolve any specific issues that require government action Consideration to be given to using competent stunning at slaughter

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