Issue 4, February 2020

A Message from the NSW Chief Animal Welfare Officer

For more information about NSW’s Animal Welfare Action Plan click here.

Release of Animal Welfare Reform - Issues Paper

The NSW Government is committed to safeguarding animal welfare and providing a strong regulatory framework to promote responsible animal ownership and care in NSW. 

As part of a suite of actions under the Action Plan, we have published the NSW Animal Welfare Reform - Issues Paper. 

We have worked with the animal welfare enforcement agencies and key stakeholder groups to identify the focus areas for reform, and we are now seeking your feedback on the issues identified in this issues paper. 

This is an important step towards modernising the policy and legislative framework for animal welfare in NSW and is your opportunity to help set the direction for reform.

Animal welfare is an issue that affects everyone in the community, and we know people feel strongly about it. We want to make sure everyone has the chance to have their say, and NSW DPI welcomes feedback from all members of the community.

More information about the Issues Paper is available on the DPI website here.

You can respond to the Issues Paper by filling out our online survey here, or by providing a written submission by email to animalwelfare.submissions@dpi.nsw.gov.au or by post to
Department of Primary Industries, c/o Animal Welfare, Locked Bag 21, Orange NSW 2800.

How to: Transport and sell livestock

The impacts of drought continue to cause immense pressure on rural communities and serious risks to human and animal welfare across NSW.

To guide people involved in the transport and sale of livestock, including horses, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has developed a range of materials to provide practical advice on animal welfare requirements for transport and sale. 

We are now seeking your support to distribute this information. 

How you can help 
We have created the following resources for you to use: 

• Web content
• Printable ‘How to’ guide
• Printable signs/posters (available in three images)

We would appreciate you using and distributing these materials on your social channels, on your website, in your newsletter and in your offices. 

If you would like digital copies of printable materials or have any queries, please contact us at animal.welfare@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

Reminder - Animal Welfare Advisory Council - call for Expressions of Interest

We are seeking expressions of interest for people to join the Animal Welfare Advisory Council (the Council). The Council has recently been reshaped as an independent scientific committee, and will provide expert advice to the NSW Government on animal welfare matters and proposed regulations.

For more information about eligibility criteria and how to apply, click here.

The Council will be able to establish consultative subcommittees, known as Stakeholder Reference Groups, to provide advice on practical aspects of issues under consideration on an as needed basis. The Stakeholder Reference Groups will be issue-specific and will be made up of key stakeholders from that interest area. We will also continue to engage with the wider public to seek feedback on policy initiatives.  

Applications close 13 March 2020 at 11.55pm.

Thanks for your ongoing interest in improving animal welfare in NSW.

Anyone wishing to receive this newsletter and other updates from us can register online.

Dr Kim Filmer BVSc, GCMgt N3669
Chief Animal Welfare Officer
NSW Department of Primary Industries