Canine ehrlichiosis is a severe and sometimes fatal disease of dogs, caused by infection with the bacterium Ehrlichia canis. The bacterium is carried by ticks. In Australia, infection occurs when dogs are bitten by an infected brown dog tick. E.canis occurs worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.

The first detection of ehrlichiosis in Australia was in May 2020. Since then, the disease has been diagnosed in the northern regions of Western Australia and South Australia, all of the Northern Territory and north-western Queensland.

28 October 2022

Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Livestock at Processing Facilities and Establishments

AWTG 04-22 noted an update from Queensland that the stakeholder advisory group (SAG) has met 10 times this year. The SAG has been considering species-specific matters. Recent meetings have covered pigs, poultry, sheep and goats. Meetings will continue until November 2022.

Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Livestock at Processing Facilities and Establishments

AWTG 03-22 noted an update from Queensland that the independently facilitated stakeholder advisory group (SAG) has met 7 times this year. The SAG has covered general matters for inclusion in the standards and guidelines and are now considering species-specific matters. To date meetings for cattle and buffalo, pigs and poultry have been convened. The SAG will continue to meet regularly during the last half of 2022.

Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Livestock at Processing Facilities and Establishments

AWTG 02-22 noted an update from Queensland that the independently facilitated stakeholder advisory group (SAG) has met 4 times this year. The SAG has covered general matters for inclusion in the standards and guidelines and will begin considering species-specific matters from June 2022. The SAG will continue to meet regularly in 2022.

Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Livestock at Processing Facilities and Establishments

AWTG 01-22 noted an update from Queensland that the independent scientific literature review to inform the development of the new standards and guidelines was completed in February 2022 and has been published on the AWTG website. AWTG 01-22 also noted that the stakeholder advisory group (SAG) commenced formal meetings and has met three times to date (in December 2021, February and March 2022). An independent facilitator has been engaged to lead SAG meetings.

Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Livestock at Processing Facilities and Establishments

AWTG 07-22 noted an update from Queensland that the scientific literature review commissioned by AWTG to inform the development of the new standards and guidelines is in its final stages, with peer review in progress. The review will be made publicly available when finalised. AWTG 07-21 also noted that a Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) has been established. The Terms of Reference for the SAG will be available online shortly.

Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Livestock at Processing Facilities and Establishments

The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) is leading the development of this standard. An independent consultant is finalising the scientific literature review.  The AWTG approved the Terms of Reference for the Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) and an independent facilitator. The SAG will review the drafting group’s preliminary standards and guidelines and provide advice and recommendations to the AWTG.

The Animal Welfare Task Group (AWTG) is a committee of officials from all Australian jurisdictions. It oversees the development of national animal welfare standards and guidelines. These aim to improve national consistency, making it easier for industry, the community and trading partners to understand animal welfare requirements. The standards are designed to be adopted in state and territory legislation, while guidelines are voluntary.

The Animal Welfare Task Group is chaired by Queensland, with the Commonwealth providing secretariat support.