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AAWS Preamble
The Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (the Strategy) has been developed to provide both national and international communities with an appreciation of animal welfare arrangements in Australia. It also outlines the future direction and improvements to animal welfare in Australia.
The Strategy builds on existing animal welfare arrangements in Australia and recognises the intimate connection that exists between animal welfare, animal health and production.
Animals play an important role in Australian daily life due to:
- an increased community recognition that animals have an intrinsic value
- the important role of animals as a source of food, fibre and other products
- the important role of animals in Australia’s history and development as a nation
- Australia’s diverse and unique native animals, many of which figure prominently in indigenous culture
- the ongoing tourism importance of Australia’s diverse and unique native animals
- the strong cultural and sporting significance of animals, including the use of animals as a subject across the arts and as icons for our sporting teams
- the ongoing economic importance of animal industries to Australia, and
- the dependence of many Australians on animals for companionship.
Animal industries (including aquaculture and commercial fishing) that produce food and fibre and other products, together with the tourism industry that values Australia’s diverse and unique native animals, will continue to play key roles in maintaining the nation's economic well-being in the 21st century.
Australia enjoys a favourable animal health status, placing a high priority on the control of endemic diseases and emergency animal disease preparedness and response. Biosecurity controls are in place to protect animal welfare, animal health and public health.
The Strategy facilitates a national consultative approach to animal welfare that welcomes the involvement of the broader community, industry and government. It seeks to develop community support for the implementation of approved standards. It establishes a framework for sustainable animal welfare outcomes based on scientific evidence, in order to meet the expectations of the Australian community with a focus on achieving a balance between education, extension and regulation. It will also provide for greater harmony and consistency across jurisdictions.
The Strategy recognises that animal welfare is a complex issue. Science and ethics are both essential. Science provides the body of evidence about animals that is used for moral and ethical judgements about their welfare. At the same time, decisions about animal welfare are influenced by cultural, social, economic and occupational health and safety considerations. Australia emphasises the importance of stockmanship, the skills and responsibilities of animal carers and their role in good husbandry and the delivery of acceptable animal welfare outcomes.