Owners and people in charge of animals must ensure they meet the requirements set out in Animal Welfare (Painful Husbandry Procedures) Code of Welfare 2005 when undertaking any procedure that may inflict pain on animals.

This code sets out the acceptable activities around carrying out painful procedures on all animals and includes specific requirements for commonly used procedures within the dairy industry (such as dis-budding and de-horning).

If painful husbandry procedures are to be undertaken, they must be justified on the basis of: ensuring animal health and welfare, human safety, animal and farm system productivity, or product attributes.

Understanding and complying with the requirements of the code will help to ensure that you and your staff are meeting your obligations under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

Ensure you and your staff are aware of these obligations.

Provide training and information to your staff on the importance of planning and following the guidelines for carrying out painful procedures.