Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals

Animal welfare considerations are becoming increasingly important for the keeping and farming of animals, both in Australia and internationally. Practices that may have once been deemed acceptable are now being reassessed in light of new knowledge and changing attitudes. The minimum standards outlined in this Code are intended to help people involved in the care and management of poultry to adopt standards of husbandry that are acceptable. Special requirements for various species are given in the appendices. This Code of Practice is intended as a guide for people responsible for the welfare and husbandry of domestic poultry. It recognises that the basic requirement for welfare of poultry is a husbandry system appropriate to their physiological and behavioural needs. The Code emphasises that - whatever the form of husbandry - managers, employees and all others responsible for the day-to-day needs of domestic poultry have a responsibility to care for poultry under their control. The Australian Commonwealth and State/Territory governments created several new Ministerial Councils from the amalgamation and redirection of the work of several existing Councils. These changes saw the winding up of ARMCANZ (and SCARM) and the establishment of a new Council, the Primary Industries Ministerial Council, its primary source of advice will flow from a committee of senior officials, the Primary Industries Standing Committee (PISC).