Achievements in Australia

Audits in transport:

One of the ways in which Animals’ Angels in Australia measures the success of our work is by auditing the level of compliance to the standards and codes of practice in transportation and the condition of the animals. This applies to both the port for live animal export and to saleyards. We also closely monitor saleyard activities and it is this careful observation which has provided us with the evidence to encourage change.

During the last three or so years we have successfully managed to influence the industry to improve their practices in order to comply with both the legal requirements and their voluntary rules.

The export of live animals is a contentious issue here in Australia and both industry and government are acutely aware of the consequences of being exposed for poor practices. Proving non-compliance in the transport of animals for the live export trade has not been easy and we achieved it through the painstaking collection of data and evidence. Our detailed and meticulous reports which illustrate the status of animal welfare in transport are sent to Federal and State Government departments as well as to several lawyers, policy makers and to industry. Unfortunately we are not permitted on board the ships or into the loading area so we are forced to monitor from beyond the perimeter gates.

Nationwide transport is difficult to monitor due to the lack of resources and difficulty in accessing information on rural transports.

Audits in saleyards:

Our efforts have raised awareness of the treatment and handling of animals used in farming more so than ever before. We are strenuously encouraging saleyards to introduce policies to protect animals from poor handling and treatment. Management is recognising that this is vital given the numbers of animals consigned through their saleyards. Animals’ Angels have challenged the “traditional” methods workers have used for many years and as a result, there is a keen interest from management in initiating the low stress handling methods. This involves training handlers to consider the wellbeing of the animal first and foremost and we are finally seeing a change in the animal handling “culture”.

Animals’ Angels’ persistence with improving conditions in saleyards is beginning to show results both in WA and in Queensland.

Over the last 3 years we had been asking that water be provided to all pens in a major cattle and sheep saleyard in West Australia We succeeded in at least getting water into all the receival pens- a major improvement. Recently, Animals’ Angels were invited to discuss the plans for the new facility and were delighted to learn that water troughs will be installed into every sheep sale pen in the new sale yard. This is a first in Australia.

Our work with some Queensland saleyards has bought about several changes. Our footage of poor handling and treatment provided a basis for us to raise awareness of the lack of skilled handling. Saleyard management is now aware of what happens in their facilities and of the need to train people in humane and caring methods in moving and transporting animals. We have developed a cooperative relationship with the saleyards we investigated and most have initiated changes to improve the activities in their yards.

Although we see an attitudinal change within some saleyards, the challenge still remains in how best to approach the regulators in both West Australia and Queensland. Animals’ Angels would like to see positive proactive input from the regulators in animal welfare issues such as; unfit animals being transported; the efficient, humane slaughter of animals; the promotion of acceptable handling and treatment of animals. In our view, the enforcement of state legislation and Codes of Practice appears inconsistent and often potential enforcement is based on the inspector’s personal attitudes of the validity of the legislature and guidelines.

Animal Welfare Promotion:

Animals’ Angels were invited to give a presentation on animal welfare to the National Saleyard Conference held in Rockhampton in 2008. We were also invited to speak at the Australian Livestock Property Agents Association national conference held in Brisbane in October 2008. This direct communication with the major players is a unique opportunity for us to deliver the animal welfare message.

Police training:

Never before has any animal welfare organisation been invited to offer training or information to Police. Early in 2006, Animals’ Angels were given the great opportunity to present a module in animal welfare to attendees of a stock squad course in West Australia.
When courses are held by the stock squad, Animals Angels are there for the animals.

Animals’ Angels also produced and provided a Code of Practice leaflet for all police attendees as part of their handout package. The leaflet stayed in the car and was used as a handy reference when inspecting transport of sheep, pigs and cattle.

A similar leaflet was produced for Queensland Police who have differing animal welfare legislation from Western Australia.
To our dismay, the WA Police Stock squad was disbanded due to budget cutbacks. It has left a huge gap in the enforcement process because in the same cutbacks, the government inspectorate was slashed from 6 to 2 inspectors.

Legislation:

Unfortunately, there seems to be a reluctance to prosecute commercial interests who breach animal welfare legislation. Australia lacks adequate policing by fully trained inspectors of the animal welfare laws and it is largely left to industry to self-regulate. As a consequence of the deficit in policing and enforcement of the legislation, Codes of Practice and standards, there is always the potential that animals will fail to be protected against cruelty and neglect.

Unlike countries in the EU Australia doesn’t use veterinarians to enforce laws. In some states of Australia the Department of Agriculture or Department of Primary Industries have the responsibility to enforce animal welfare legislation. This is not always beneficial for the animals because the focus of these government departments is to promote agriculture and animal welfare is not always viewed a priority.

Due in part to the evidence we provided during 2005 and 2006, the Western Australia State Government appointed 6 inspectors to focus primarily on live export and saleyard welfare problems. Despite the evidence that there is much work to be done in this arena, there appears to be a lack of will to fund an adequate number of inspectors. Unfortunately, there are not still enough inspectors to police the livestock industry in an area of approximately one third of the continent. The inspectors remain untrained in animal behaviours and unable/unwilling to enforce state legislation and Codes of Practice.