The Minns Labor Government will invest $900,000 in a NSW Farmers project as part of its commitment to support livestock welfare across agricultural industries and strengthen the operation of the joint government and industry Stock Welfare Panels.
The funding will support the NSW Farmers 'One Welfare in Action - Improving Stock Welfare Panels in NSW' project, which recognises animal welfare is intrinsically linked to human and environmental health and wellbeing.
Stock Welfare Panels are joint industry and government advisory bodies that deal with livestock welfare matters.
They include veterinarians and representatives from NSW Farmers, NSW Government Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Local Land Services, and animal welfare organisations.
NSW Farmers will use the funding to develop educational materials to improve skills and knowledge of panel members and farmers, deliver educational and other resources to targeted audiences, consult with people involved in administrating, operating or participating in the panels and streamline the panel process.
Panels can be established by government agencies when an enforcement agency, such as the RSPCA NSW or Animal Welfare League NSW, find a significant animal welfare issue, such as livestock that have not been provided with appropriate food, water, shelter or veterinary treatment.
The panels can intervene in complex livestock welfare cases by providing a cost-effective and efficient alternative to drawn-out and costly court action. They act to ensure the animal welfare issues are addressed and animals receive the right management.
The NSW Farmers project is designed to enhance livestock welfare and transparency across the sector. The project aims to improve industry awareness of animal welfare obligations, which will ultimately lead to less intervention from the panels.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
"The Minns Labor Government is committed to maintaining a high level of animal welfare across the state for all livestock.
"Stock Welfare Panels provide an important function and there is always room for improvement. By funding this project, those improvements can be pinpointed and implemented.
"NSW Farmers works across the state with farmers in the livestock industry.
"It makes sense for them to conduct this project, to work with the people who have extensive experience in this area, whether they be livestock farmers, or those who are involved with Stock Welfare Panels.
"By partnering with NSW Farmers, we are ensuring that this program is farmer-led and draws on the deep, on-the-ground expertise of those who know the NSW livestock the best."
President of NSW Farmers, Xavier Martin said:
"NSW Farmers plays an essential role in the operation of Stock Welfare Panels as part of its broader work to ensure optimal animal welfare outcomes in agriculture.
"It's vital the right processes are in place to ensure these panels deliver effective, timely decisions to address animal welfare issues, and we welcome the support of the Minns Government to help us ensure this.
"Farmers have the practical knowledge necessary to assist in achieving the best possible animal welfare outcomes through these panels, and we look forward to embarking on this project to ensure that experience is put to good use."
