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.

17 October 2022

Who does this notice affect?

All clients required to use the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) during this planned maintenance period.

Information

Due to scheduled infrastructure maintenance, BICON users may experience several intermittent outages from 16:00 to 23:59 Sunday 23 October 2022 (AEDT).

Action

Users are advised to frequently save any in-progress permit applications during this maintenance period.

18 October 2022

Who does this notice affect?

All vessel owners, operators, masters, and shipping agents who represent international commercial vessels, including cruise vessels for the purposes of Australian biosecurity clearance.

State and territory port operators and port authority entities across Australia.

All national and state government health officers.

Monday 17 October 2022

Who does this notice affect?

This notice is of interest to importers of animal-based pet food and departmental biosecurity officers at international mail centres.

14 October 2022

Who does this notice affect?

This notice is for importers of fresh mango fruit from Thailand for human consumption, approved arrangements, freight forwarders, brokers, and Pathway Operations Cargo – Assessment and Inspection.

What has changed?

On 1 November 2022, the requirement for an import permit for fresh mango fruit grown in Thailand for human consumption will be removed.

Importers who hold a valid import permit will no longer need to present this from 1 November 2022.

The listed International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) accredited laboratories and Naktuinbouw Authorized Laboratories (NAL) are approved by the department to perform purity analysis on seeds imported for planting and consumption into Australia.