Abattoir reforms welcomed

THE State Government has committed to major changes to the state’s livestock processing sector in the wake of alleged animal welfare breaches. 

It is almost a year since video footage surfaced of alleged animal welfare breaches filmed by animal activists in a number of Tasmanian abattoirs.

The Tasmanian Livestock Processing Taskforce has completed a major report with 12 key recommendations. 

One of the recommendations is that new guidelines, Handling of Animals at Tasmanian Live- stock Processing Premises 2024, be implemented under the Animal Welfare Act 1993 within two years. 

It recommends the guidelines, including video monitoring, are converted into standards under the Act so they become enforceable. 

The taskforce recommends that additional staff are engaged to enable Biosecurity Tasmania to boost its monitoring activity.

Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, said the State Government was committed to improving animal welfare in livestock processing. 

“The Government accepts all the recommendations within the report, fully supporting 11 of these recommendations and one in principle,” she said.

“Adoption of these recommendations will improve the humane treatment of animals in our processing facilities and supply chain.” 

Ms Howlett said the taskforce recommended guidelines on animal welfare, including mandatory video monitoring in abattoirs, be implemented within two years. 

She said the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania would progress necessary regulatory changes within the proposed timeframe. 

She said other recommendations related to information and monitoring, which will be implemented by NRE Tas. 

In the meantime, video surveillance remains mandatory under instruction from the Chief Veterinary Officer under the Animal Welfare Act.

The taskforce recommended a communications campaign across the supply chain to reinforce the need for strong animal welfare practices and to alert them to the new guidelines. 

Taskforce chair Felicity Richards thanked those who had contributed to its inquiries. 

The state’s peak farming body has welcomed the report and recommendations. TasFarmers chief executive officer Nathan Calman said the guidelines outlined animal welfare from farm gate to processor, setting up standards, guidelines and strategies to ensure the sector aligns with community expectations. 

“It was clear from our members who put a lot of love, care, and attention into maintaining the highest animal welfare standards on their farm, that these expectations were not always being upheld at processing facilities across the state,” he said. 

“This concern was a key driver for forming the taskforce.” 

He said this was a watershed moment, bringing together stakeholders with a range of| perspectives to ensure highest animal welfare standards are applied. 

“The report is immensely beneficial to the sector, as it not only supports primary producers but also strengthens the red meat industry’s brand by providing assurance that these standards are being met. 

“We do not tolerate the mistreatment of animals and have consistently advocated for strict standards to be enforced.

This is about protecting the state’s brand, and we must uphold it,” Mr Calman said. 

“We believe every processor should operate as though every decision is being watched.” 

TasFarmers wants the report’s principles to be adopted as soon as practicable.