On 7 March 2013, Animal Health Australia published a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on the proposed animal welfare standards and guidelines for sheep. The proposed national standards and guidelines are expected to result in improved and nationally consistent rules for sheep care and management for all sheep farming businesses in Australia. The main problem underlying the development of the proposed national standards relates to risks to the welfare of sheep. Mulesing procedures and associated welfare impacts are of most concern, however other painful husbandry procedures discussed include tail docking, castration and laparoscopic artificial insemination. The number of sheep that could be affected by current poor practices in regards to mulesing, tail docking and castration are potentially significant. However, the extent of such practices is currently unknown. The RIS is seeking greater information from industry and other stakeholders in order to ascertain the magnitude of the problem. The proposed options include voluntary or mandatory adoption of the proposed animal welfare standards and guidelines for sheep as well as a number of variations to the proposed standards and guidelines which are considered relevant in addressing the risks to the welfare of sheep. Following the public consultation process, the impact analysis of the options will be revised and updated with a view to making a recommendation on a preferred option to the Standing Council on Primary Industries as part of the Decision RIS. The public consultation on these proposals closes on 5 August 2013. For further details on the consultation process refer to http://www.animalwelfarestandards.net.au/. The Consultation RIS was prepared by Animal Health Australia for the Standing Council on Primary Industries and assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.
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