Codes of welfare

Several codes of welfare play a role in a farming business.

By outlining the basic level of animal management and required care, Codes of Welfare encourage appropriate care of animals on a day-to-day basis, through a combination of minimum standards and recommended good practices.

Failing to meet a minimum standard can support a prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and recommended good practices are the optimum goal, though not legally binding.

Codes of Welfare are developed by NAWAC (National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee) and over time new codes are being released to replace the previous codes of recommendations and minimum standards, which are voluntary.

The new format of the Codes of Welfare contain legally binding minimum standards. The Code of Welfare for Dairy Cattle (2010) outlines minimum standards and gudielines for husbandry, care and handling of dairy cattle The Code of Welfare for Painful procedures (2005) outlines minimum standards and gudeiliens for disbudding, dehorning, castration and tail shortening.

A new Code of Welfare for animal transport is currently under development.