Farm operations

The Farm Operations Policy Advisory Group (PAG) aims to maintain and improve Australia’s animal health and welfare system, as well as the industry’s emergency response capability, through cooperative programs aligned with other industries and governments.

ADF cares deeply about the health and wellbeing of their animals, and this PAG works hard to ensure that this is recognised by government, regulators, retailers, animal groups and, most importantly, consumers. The Animal Health and Welfare PAG provides guidance on current issues and regulations.

Scope

  • Emergency animal disease response preparedness

  • Animal health system capability

  • Disease programs and management

  • Animal welfare standards and guidelines

  • Quarantine and biosecurity oversight

  • Viable food safety and quality assurance systems

  • Promoting responsible practices and industry integrity

Priorities

  • National implementation of the ‘Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle’ through State and Territory regulation.

  • Ensure the ‘Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines: Livestock at Saleyard and Depot’ are reflected throughout industry-based quality assurance programs.

  • Biosecurity covers from on-farm to our national borders. ADF encourages farmers to invest in their on-farm biosecurity.

  • Improve the Australian dairy industry’s social license to operate.

General

The Australian Dairy Industry commits to striving for the health, welfare and best care for all our animals throughout their lives

Standards and Guidelines

The Australian Dairy Industry commits to adhering to the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle

The Australian Dairy Industry commits to adhering to the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock

Calving Induction

The Australian Dairy Industry does not support routine calving induction and agrees to complete phase out of routine calving induction by January 1 2022

Tail Docking

The Australian Dairy Industry does not support the use of tail docking, and should only be performed on veterinary advice to treat injury or disease.

Calves

  • Bobby calves transported for sale or slaughter must be at least five days old, fit and healthy and be adequately fed within six hours of pick up.
  • Calves aged 5 to 30 days old, transported without mothers, must have no more than 30 hours time-off-feed
  • Calves should be disbudded under two months of age with pain relief

Biosecurity

  • Bobby calves transported for sale or slaughter must be at least five days old, fit and healthy and be adequately fed within six hours of pick up.
  • Calves aged 5 to 30 days old, transported without mothers, must have no more than 30 hours time-off-feed
  • Calves should be disbudded under two months of age with pain relief
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