Animal Welfare Committee

The AWC is a sub committee of the AWPIT, with membership comprising representatives from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and agencies responsible for animal welfare in Australian states and territories. AWC replaces the former AWWG that previously delivered these functions within the Primary Industries Ministerial Council framework.

It seeks to improve national animal welfare standards that provide for a sustainable and long term economic benefit, taking into consideration the interests of government, industry, non-government organisations and community expectations.

The primary role of the committee is to consider national or cross-jurisdictional animal welfare policies and practices as they relate to primary production, with a secondary role to consider domestic non-production animal welfare issues of national significance. The committee reports to and advises AWPIT specifically with regard to the harmonisation of animal welfare legislative frameworks across states and territories, development of animal welfare standards and guidelines for production and non-production animals and emerging and current animal welfare issues.

Model Codes of Practice

Model Codes of Practice are intended as a guide for people responsible for the welfare and husbandry of a range of animals.

The National Model Codes of Practice can be viewed on the CSIRO Publishing webpage.

Secretariat Contact Details
Email: Animal Welfare Branch