Humane treatment of animals

Explore the principles of humane treatment of animals in the Australian red meat industry, focusing on the commitment of farmers to livestock health and wellbeing. Learn how the industry upholds rigorous animal welfare standards to ensure ethical and responsible farming practices. Discover the measures in place that promote good animal health and support the welfare of livestock in every stage of production.

 

 

All animals deserve to be treated humanely. In Australia, that means ensuring that livestock are healthy and happy throughout their lives.

Cases of animal cruelty are just as distressing to Australian farmers as they are to the broader community. The industry knows that ensuring good animal health and wellbeing is not only a legal requirement, it’s also the right thing to do.

To Australian farmers, treating livestock humanely means:

  • Providing pain mitigation during unavoidable aversive procedures
  • Ensuring all livestock are getting the right nutrition, especially when pregnant
  • Keeping livestock calm with low-stress handling
  • Treating livestock with respect at slaughter in a way that means they do not suffer unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress
  • Pursuing non-invasive replacements for surgical procedures.

 

 

 

How does the red meat industry maintain animal welfare standards?

The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines were created to harmonise and streamline livestock welfare legislation across Australia. The standards form the basis for developing and implementing consistent legislation and enforcement across Australia.

The standards include:

  • Ensuring livestock have reasonable access to adequate and appropriate feed and water
  • Ensuring prompt treatment for sick, injured or diseased livestock
  • Ensuring pain relief when castrating cattle
  • Ensuring dogs are under effective control during the handling of livestock.

To help farmers demonstrate that their on-farm handling of livestock is consistent with these standards, the industry developed the Livestock Production Assurance program, with a focus on animal welfare.