Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Ministers
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Agriculture and land
    Agriculture and land Building stronger and more sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land care.
    • Animal health
    • Climate change and agriculture
    • Drought, disaster and rural support
    • Farming, food and rural support
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Levies and charges on agricultural products
    • Mouse infestation advice
    • Plant health
    Xylella

    Protect against unwanted plant pests

    Our biosecurity system helps protects us. Everyone has a role in supporting our biosecurity system.

    Find out more

  • Biosecurity and trade
    Biosecurity and trade
    • Aircraft, vessels and military
    • Biosecurity policy
    • Cats and dogs
    • Exporting
    • Importing
    • Pests, diseases and weeds
    • Public awareness and education
    • Trade and market access
    • Travelling or sending goods to Australia
    • Report a concern
    Brown marmorated stink bug

    BMSB Seasonal Measures

    Australia has strengthened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB.

    View our seasonal measures

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
    • Plant Innovation Centre
    Abares

    ABARES Insights

    Get 'snapshots’ of agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries, or analysis of key issues.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We enhance our agricultural industries and trade, and manage the threat of biosecurity risks to Australia.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Contact us
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • Payments
    • People and jobs
    • Publications
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    Budget 2025-26

    Budget 2025-26

    The 2025–26 Portfolio Budget Statements were released on 25 March 2025.

    Find out more

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Agriculture and land
  3. Animal
  4. Animal welfare
  5. The Animal Welfare Task Group
  6. AWTG Communiqué February 2026

Sidebar first - Animal

  • The Animal Welfare Task Group (AWTG)
    • Communiqués and reporting
    • Current standards and guidelines projects
    • Members
    • Terms of Reference
    • Virtual fencing technology
    • Work Plan

AWTG Communiqué February 2026

Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Livestock at Processing Establishments

AWTG 26-01 noted further updates from the cross-jurisdictional working group, led by Queensland, which is considering options to progress the development of the processing standards.

Pig Welfare

AWTG discussed engagement with Australian Pork Limited on their industry project to improve the welfare of pigs.

Virtual Fencing Technology

New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia provided an update on their regulatory decisions to permit the use of virtual fencing for cattle. AWTG discussed the finalisation of the virtual fencing project.

Implementation of the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry into state and territory legislation

AWTG discussed updating state and territory senior officials on progress to implement the poultry standards into state and territory legislation.

Renewed Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS)

AWTG noted an update from the Commonwealth on the stakeholder engagement activities undertaken in late 2025 and early 2026 for the development of the Livestock and Production and Aquatic Animals chapters of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy. AWTG were notified of next steps to develop chapter working drafts, with stakeholder engagement to continue.

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

Contact us online

Report a biosecurity concern

Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip
Page last updated: 16 March 2026

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram