Welfare of sheep housed for wool production

Each state and territory government is responsible for its own animal production and welfare legislation. The Australian Government has no legislative responsibility for these matters but has played a leadership role by engaging the states and territories in developing model codes of practice for the welfare of animals. These model codes aim to ensure that farm animals are treated humanely and responsibly. The codes are reviewed from time to time to keep them up to date with technological and scientific developments.

The Model code of practice for the welfare of animals—the sheep (2nd edition) provides welfare standards for sheep. You can buy a copy from CSIRO Publishing (freecall 1800 645 051) or download it free from the CSIRO Publications website.

The codes are being replaced progressively by a series of nationally agreed standards and guidelines to be legislated by the states and territories. All states and territories are now working to implement the first of these, the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines—Land Transport of Livestock. The government ensures that farming industries and animal welfare organisations, such as the RSPCA, are included in these processes.

The new standards and guidelines for sheep will draw on the existing sheep code as well as relevant state, territory and industry welfare requirements. The Code of practice for the welfare of sheep housed for wool production is an industry-initiated code specific to the intensive housing of sheep that will also form the basis of the relevant chapter in the new, enforceable sheep standards and guidelines. The code is now operating and is available on the Wool Producers Australia website.