Update: Submissions Process – renewed Australian Animal Welfare Strategy

Attention

• All

Purpose

To inform stakeholders that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is now inviting submissions on the renewed Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS) between 2 April and 31 May 2024, in addition to the survey currently underway.

Key points

• As advised in EAN 2024-05, the Australian Government has committed $5 million over 4 years to the development of the renewed strategy, with the objective of providing a framework for a national approach to animal welfare in Australia.
• Submissions can now be made through the department's Have Your Say platform: www.agriculture.gov.au/haveyoursay/aaws. 
• The department encourages individuals and organisations with an interest in animal welfare to make a submission.
• This is separate to the survey that is currently underway on the renewed AAWS and provides an opportunity for stakeholders to offer a more detailed response to help inform the development of AAWS. Interested parties are welcome to provide feedback via the submission, the Have Your Say survey, or both.
• The deadline for submissions is 4pm AEST on 31 May 2024.
• The development of the renewed strategy will be jointly led by the Australian, and state and territory governments, and will be informed by consultation engagement and feedback.
• The renewed AAWS will be released in chapters, each dedicated to one of six animal groups. It will establish a national framework to bring key stakeholders together on animal welfare issues and build on the previous strategy that was active from 2004 to 2014. The final strategy will be released in 2027.
• For further information, please contact AAWS@aff.gov.au.