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You are here: Agriculture » About Agriculture » Legislation and Regulation » Your Responsibilities » Livestock Management

Livestock Management: Legal Booklet

This booklet is one in a series of eight legal booklets for farmers

Contents

• About the booklet
• Key terms, acronyms and abbreviations
• Introduction
• Roles and responsibilities
• Relevant laws, guidelines and Codes
• Legislation and the farmer
• Further information

About the booklet This booklet is one of a series of eight covering legal aspects of managing a farm: Biodiversity Chemical Management Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety Livestock Management Noxious Weed and Pest Animal Management Soil Management Waste Management Water Management Each booklet provides a list of the relevant legislation and explains the purpose of each. They have been written for land managers and primary producers. Each booklet consists of the following sections: Key terms, acronyms and abbreviations – an explanation of some of the language and terms used throughout the booklet. Introduction – a summary of the intention of the legislation. Roles and responsibilities – an explanation of roles played by national, state and local governments, their agencies and farmers. Relevant laws, guidelines and the Codes – the relevant Acts, guidelines and Codes covering farm management in Victoria. Legislation and the farmer – A table of potential situations with an explanation of a farmer’s obligations or the implications under the relevant Acts in Victoria.

Key terms

Animal welfare – how an animal is coping with the conditions in which it lives. An animal is in a good state of welfare if (as indicated by scientific evidence) it is healthy, comfortable, well nourished, safe, able to express innate behaviour, and if it is not suffering from unpleasant states such as pain, fear, and distress. Good animal welfare requires disease prevention and veterinary treatment, appropriate shelter, management, nutrition, humane handling and humane slaughter/killing. Animal welfare refers to the state of the animal; the treatment that an animal receives is covered by other terms such as animal care, animal husbandry, and humane treatment.

Australian Welfare Standards – the new national Standards for the welfare of livestock. Animal Health Australia are currently developing these Standards, which will replace the national model codes of practice and will be adopted in Victoria by incorporation into the Livestock Management Act 2010 (Vic) as Livestock Management Standards (as well as into other States’ legislation).

Biosecurity – the protection of the economy, the environment, social amenity or human health from negative impacts associated with the entry, establishment or spread of animal or plant pests and disease, or invasive plant and animal species.

Codes of Practice – the statements of acceptable practice in relation to use of animals in primary industry that have been adopted in Victoria (which are based on the national model codes endorsed by the Primary Industries Ministerial Council). The Codes of Practice set out minimum recommended practices and standards for food, water, housing, shelter, treatment and euthanasia of livestock. The Codes of Practice are voluntary, but compliance with them can provide a defence against a cruelty charge. The Codes of Practice that Victoria has adopted are listed below.

The national model codes are being gradually rewritten as Australian Welfare Standards, which will be adopted in Victoria under the Livestock Management Act 2010 (Vic) as Livestock Management Standards. However until that process is achieved, the Codes of Practice still apply in Victoria.

Farm biosecurity – a series of measures to minimise risk to the farm and industry (including effects on animal, plant, human health, product quality and environment) posed by the entry or spread of biological agents including diseases, pests and weeds. These measures can be very simple and can become part of a regular routine.

Land Transport Standards – the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock are the first of the Australian Welfare Standards to be finalised. The Land Transport Standards cover the transport of livestock by road, rail and by livestock transport vehicle aboard a ship. They apply to the major commercial livestock industries in Australia: cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, alpacas, poultry, emus, ostriches, buffalo, deer and camels. Once enacted as a Livestock Management Standard under the Livestock Management Act 2010 (Vic), they will replace the five current Codes of Practice relating to livestock transport.

Livestock – (a) any animal kept for the purposes of primary production, including cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, ratites

(e.g. ostriches, emus), buffalo, camels, alpacas, goats and deer; (b) horses, including where used for recreation; and (c) any animals prescribed as livestock (none as yet).

Livestock Management Standard –a standard published under section 9 of the Livestock Management Act 2010 (Vic) (which will be based on the national Animal Welfare Standards, as they are agreed).

Livestock Production Assurance – the national program that underpins the National Vendor Declaration

National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) – The national scheme operating throughout Australia for the identification and traceability of livestock. It was introduced in 1999 to meet European Union requirements for cattle exports. Since then it has expanded to enable cattle, sheep and goats to be traced from property of birth to slaughter for biosecurity, meat safety, product integrity and market access purposes. Major producer, feedlot, agent, saleyard and processor bodies endorse the NLIS. The regulatory framework for the NLIS is contained in the Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2006.

National Traceability Performance Standards – the national standards behind the NLIS.

National Vendor Declaration (NVD) – a statutory declaration that owners must sign prior to selling slaughter livestock, which provides a mechanism for the transfer of information on the history of livestock consigned for sale or slaughter.

Property Identification Code (PIC) – a unique identification number assigned to each farm or parcel of land that forms the basis of the mandatory tagging system which underpins the NLIS.

Property Risk Assessment – one of the basic requirements to become a Level 1 accredited Livestock Product Assurance producer (which is required to use National Vendor Declarations). The Assessment confirms that livestock are not exposed to areas that are contaminated with organochlorines or other persistent chemicals.

Traceability – the ability to follow an animal from one point in the supply chain to another, either backwards or forwards. Livestock traceability systems are based upon three basic elements: animal identification, premises identification and animal movement.

Acronyms / abbreviations AHA Animal Health Australia AAWS Australian Animal Welfare Strategy AQIS Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service COAG Council of Australian Governments DPI Department of Primary Industries EADRA Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement FSANZ Food Standards Australia and New Zealand LMA Livestock Management Act 2010 (Vic) NLIS National Livestock Identification Scheme NVD National Vendor Declaration PIC Property Identification Code PIMC Primary Industry Ministerial Council RSPCA Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Introduction

Producers have legal responsibilities in relation to livestock health and welfare, identification, biosecurity, chemical management and confinement of stock. By understanding your legal responsibilities you can help ensure we meet consumer needs and protect both our domestic and international markets.

Consumers in our major markets are demanding more information about how their food is produced, transported and processed and how livestock are managed from birth to slaughter. Livestock producers must manage their livestock in a way that provides for the health and welfare of the animals as well as producing livestock that delivers premium quality product.

International customers and trading partners are now seeking assurance that there are efficient government and industry control mechanisms that minimise risks to biosecurity and animal welfare. Market forces alone cannot address these risks therefore intervention in the form of legislation and standards is needed.

This booklet aims to give producers an overview of the varying legislation affecting their management of livestock. As well, some information is provided on meeting your legislative requirements in relation to other animals commonly owned by producers.

Livestock Management Act 2010 (Vic)

The Livestock Management Act (LMA), passed by the Victorian Parliament in April 2010, provides Victoria’s new approach to livestock management, providing a framework to achieve nationally consistent animal welfare, biosecurity and traceability standards via the incorporation of the Australian Standards (as they are created) as ‘Livestock Management Standards’. The new Act enables issues relating to general livestock management, including traceability, biosecurity, chemical standard management and animal welfare, to be distinct from other issues such as cruelty and disease. This will result in more clarity for industry on specific requirements that underpin their market access.

The Act provides a standard inspection model for enforcement, together with a new co-regulatory regime that acknowledges previous industry investment in complying with appropriate quality assurance programs or other systems to meet the Codes of Practice or other standards. The Act therefore does not require industry to duplicate that effort, subsequently reducing compliance cost and red tape for the industry.

The LMA will therefore provide two compliance regimes: the first applying to those not operating under an approved quality assurance program, who will be subject to higher levels of inspection for compliance with the Livestock Management Standards, and the second establishing the co-regulatory arrangement where a monitoring and joint reporting regime will apply.

As each set of Livestock Management Standards is prescribed, the LMA will require the mandatory implementation of those agreed Standards across all categories of livestock to which the particular Standards apply, from the point of birth to slaughter.

Standards for Livestock Management

A consequence of the export-focussed nature of our livestock industries is that international customers and trading partners are now seeking assurance that government and industry control mechanisms are in place to minimise food safety, traceability, biosecurity and animal welfare risks.

These international influences are extending to Australia’s domestic market, with local supermarkets now adopting similar approaches to those employed by other multinational companies to demonstrate standards for livestock production.

The animal industries are also aware of these changing consumer attitudes and their influences on product acceptability, market sustainability and productivity. Industries have put considerable effort towards the development of commercial standards (e.g. quality assurance schemes) that incorporate animal welfare, traceability, biosecurity, food safety and chemical standards, both nationally and internationally.

A number of standards relating to livestock management are being developed under the auspices of the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC).

Animal welfare

The prominence of animal welfare as an issue confronting the livestock industries is increasing. As communities become better educated, they are demanding more information and input into how their food is produced, transported and processed, and how animals are treated throughout the production chain. These changing consumer and community attitudes have created both political and economic demands for animal welfare standards that are underpinned by rigorous scientific assessment. Governments, together with industry, have responded to these new drivers with the recently established Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS).

Under the AAWS, Animal Health Australia (AHA) is currently facilitating the development of nationally consistent Australian Welfare Standards, which will replace the current national model codes. The new Australian Welfare Standards will be gradually adopted in Victoria under the Livestock Management Act 2010 (Vic) as Livestock Management Standards. However until that process is achieved, the current voluntary Codes of Practice still apply in Victoria.

The new Australian Welfare Standards aim to streamline livestock welfare legislation in Australia, ensuring that it is both practical for industry and results in improved welfare. The first of the new Australian Welfare Standards, recently endorsed by both industry and Government, are the Land Transport of Livestock Guidelines, developed from the Model Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Pigs. These will be implemented in Victoria under the LMA during 2010 and 2011. Other Australian Welfare Standards currently under development during 2011 and 2012 include the Australian Standards and Guidelines for the Welfare of Cattle, and the Australian Standards and Guidelines for the Welfare of Sheep. These will become regulated Livestock Management Standards under the LMA once they have been agreed nationally and endorsed by the PIMC.

Biosecurity

The livestock industries already have in place agreed biosecurity plans that outline actions to prevent, respond and mitigate biosecurity risks and that underpin the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA).

Work is now underway, facilitated by Animal Health Australia, towards establishing and revising ‘farm biosecurity plans’ which contain practical standards for biosecurity to underpin the EADRA. These plans are intended for integration with existing industry quality assurance schemes or equivalent extension/education programs. Some industries have already commenced the development of quality assurance modules for biosecurity.

Food safety

The Primary Production and Processing Standards for food safety being developed by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) may be developed to cover practices across the whole supply chain. These new nationally consistent Standards will form part of the national Food Standards Code, incorporated into Victorian law via the Food Act 1984 (Vic), which is administered by the Department of Health and Local Councils.

FSANZ is examining the options for the new Primary Production and Processing Standards for meat and meat products and their implementation through-chain including:

a) retaining the current arrangement which involves self-regulation of meat safety for the primary production sector in combination with the current legislation for animal disease control, residues, animal welfare, animal traceability and chemical use (and regulation of the processing sector via Australian Standard 4696-2007)

b) consideration of a through-chain food safety management approach, consisting of non-regulatory and regulatory elements with more focus on quality assurance programs

c) implementing standards through-chain, where compliance by both suppliers and producers would be managed via the existing licence arrangements at processing plants.

Traceability

The NLIS is Australia’s system for identifying and tracking Foot and Mouth Disease susceptible species that include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, alpacas, llamas and domesticated buffalo, deer, and camels.

The Victorian Government is working with industry to ensure that in time the identification and tracking arrangements for each species meet Australia’s National Traceability Performance Standards.

The States are responsible for the registration of properties, and administering and enforcing legislation relating to the NLIS (currently via the Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2006). The NLIS operates on the principle that, at each point along the supply chain, the party responsible for livestock must not allow animals to move forward in the supply chain unless they have taken appropriate action to ensure that the animals can be reliably traced back to their last property of residence should the need arise.

Chemical standards

A 2008 Productivity Commission study recommended the need to extend the National Registration Scheme for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals to cover regulation of agricultural and veterinary chemical use after the point of retail sale.

The PIMC was subsequently directed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to develop a proposal for a new national regime to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the regulation of agricultural and veterinary chemicals. This reform is due to be submitted to COAG by mid-2011.

Roles and responsibilities

General responsibilities in relation to livestock management

Federal Government

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry provides policy and legislation for aspects of livestock management including live exports and supply of agricultural chemicals. Its quarantine and biosecurity functions form the Biosecurity Services Group, which integrates the activities of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), the functions of Biosecurity Australia, and policy and support units for product integrity, animal and plant health and quarantine.

AQIS is responsible for Australia’s export licences and regularly carries out inspections to ensure biosecurity, traceability and animal welfare requirements for export licensing and importing countries are being met. AQIS also manages quarantine controls at our borders and provides import and export inspection and certification to help retain Australia’s highly favourable animal, plant and human health status and wide access to overseas export markets.

State Government

Under Australia’s constitutional arrangements, State and Territory Governments are responsible for livestock management and welfare arrangements within their jurisdictions, in terms of both enforcing national standards and agreements, as well as administering State legislation. The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) designs and delivers policies and programs that enable Victoria’s primary and energy industries to maximise the wealth and wellbeing they generate by producing essential goods and services, employment, investment and recreational opportunities.

In addition, Biosecurity Victoria operates within DPI. It develops policy, standards, delivery systems and services that reduce the threat of invasive plants and animals to agriculture and the natural environment, protects animals and plants from pests and diseases, enhances food safety, ensures minimal and effective chemical use, protects the welfare of animals and preserves and expands market access for Victoria’s primary industries.

Relevant laws, guidelines and Codes

Legislation relating to livestock management includes:

• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992
• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Regulations 2007
• Domestic Animals Act 1994
• Domestic Animals Regulations 2005
• Impounding of Livestock Act 1994
• Impounding of Livestock Regulations 2008
• Livestock Disease Control Act 1994
• Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2006
• Livestock Management Act 2010
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Domestic Fowl) Regulations 2006
• Stock (Seller Liability and Declarations) Act 1993

Under each Act listed above, there are designated officers with responsibility for enforcing that Act. For all of the Acts administered by DPI, inspectors are required to complete rigorous training before they are gazetted as inspectors.

For animal welfare enforcement, the arrangements differ slightly. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 is enforced by authorised officers in DPI, Victoria Police, the RSPCA and Councils. Commercial livestock issues are handled primarily by DPI and the rest by Victoria Police, the RSPCA and Councils.

To access these Acts and Regulations go to www.legislation.vic. gov.au.

Summary of the relevant Acts: Livestock Management

Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992

Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Regulations 2007

The Commonwealth and State Governments are both responsible for regulating agricultural and veterinary chemicals. The Commonwealth law regulates the registration and supply of the relevant chemicals, and the States regulate the use of those chemicals. Victoria’s legislation involves:

• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992 (Vic). For Victorian producers this is the most important legislation. It imposes controls in relation to the use and application of agricultural chemical preparations, veterinary chemical preparations, fertilisers and stock foods.
• The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Regulations 2007 set out the record-keeping requirements for agricultural and veterinary chemical users. Under the Regulations, veterinary chemical products supplied by veterinary practitioners must state a withholding period, which is the period that is sufficient to ensure that any stock or produce from stock treated with that product will not be contaminated at the end of that period. They also impose further control on veterinarians and mandate notification of spraying near sensitive areas.

Summary of Legislation relevant for Livestock and Companion Animals.

Livestock Management				Livestock Management & Companion Animals	Companion Animals
Chemical Management, licence and permits	Livestock disease response, management, traceability and declarations for sale	Livestock Management standards	Impounding livestock	Animal cruelty*	Domestic animal management
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992	Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 and Stock (Seller Liability and Declarations) Act 1993	Livestock Management Act 2010	Impounding of Livestock Act 1994	Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (POCTA) Act 1986	Domestic Animals Act 1994
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 2007	Livestock Disease Control Regulations 1995 and Amendment Regulations 2005	Livestock Management Regulations (underway 2010-2011)	Impounding of Livestock Regulations 2008	Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (POCTA) Regulations 2008	Domestic Animals Regulations 2005
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical Guidelines	Codes and guidelines relating to traceability, sale of livestock and disease management and surveilance NLIS requirements	Standards and Guidelines for biosecurity and animal welfare		Codes of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Animals (under revision to Standards)	Codes of Practice for the Operation of Domestic Animal businesses

Domestic Animals Act 1994

Domestic Animals Regulations 2005

The purpose of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 is to promote responsible pet ownership animal welfare, and to protect the environment. The legislation provides for cat and dog management and identification and enables Councils to deal effectively with feral and nuisance dogs and cats as well as dog attacks on people and other animals.

It also includes standards for microchip identification of dogs, cats and horses by putting in place specific requirements as to who can implant, the implant procedure and maintenance of microchip registers for these species. This legislation makes micro-chipping mandatory for dogs and cats (with some exemptions) but it is not compulsory for owners to microchip horses. The Act also regulates dogs declared to be dangerous, menacing or a restricted breed.

Impounding of Livestock Act 1994

Impounding of Livestock Regulations 2008

The purpose of this Act is to provide for the impounding of livestock that has been abandoned or found trespassing on any land or roads, to regulate the impounding, care, release, disposal or destruction of impounded livestock and provide for matters relating to the agistment of horses.

Impounding means the seizure of trespassing and abandoned livestock. For the purpose of the Act, livestock means ‘any animal, including a bird, of any species used in connection with primary production, or kept for recreational purposes, other than a dog or cat.’

The Act allows straying livestock to be impounded by Council officers, officers of the Roads Corporation and owners or occupiers of any land if the livestock are trespassing on that land or on a road adjoining that land. Where landowners impound livestock trespassing on their land and they do not know who owns the livestock, they must notify the local Council as soon as possible.

The Act provides that Council officers can issue notices to owners of livestock that trespass or are not confined by adequate fencing to the premises on which they are kept. Such notices can include a direction to take the measures set out in the notice to adequately confine the livestock, such as requiring fencing to be fixed.

Council officers may enter any land or building (other than a residence) at the request of the owner if the owner reasonably suspects that there is abandoned livestock in or on the land or building. The Council officer may impound any animals he or she believes to be abandoned and must deliver those animals to a pound.

The Act also provides a legal method for owners/operators of properties agisting a horse to recover unpaid agistment fees and subsequently remove the horse from the property.

A person who impounds livestock in accordance with the Act is entitled to recover costs incurred from the owner of the livestock as a civil debt.

Livestock Management Act 2010

The LMA (described above) provides a framework to achieve nationally consistent Livestock Management Standards. The LMA affects anyone owning, managing or working with livestock in any capacity.

Livestock Disease Control Act 1994

Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2006

The principal Act dealing with disease in livestock in Victoria is the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994. The Act administers the prevention, monitoring and control of diseases generally, with provisions for particular types of livestock (such as pigs, dairy animals and bees). It also addresses issues such as artificial breeding, compensation, licences and registrations, and enforcement.

The Regulations deal with disease notification, identification of livestock, introduction of livestock into Victoria, prevention of the spread of disease, records of sale and purchase of livestock.

The Governor in Council can declare any contagious or infectious disease or condition to be a disease or an exotic disease for the purposes of the Act, or the whole or any part of Victoria to be a quarantine area. The Governor in Council can also make an Order prohibiting or restricting entry of livestock, livestock product, fodder or fittings into Victoria.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Domestic Fowl) Regulations 2006

The purpose of this Act is to prevent cruelty to animals, to encourage the considerate treatment of animals and to improve the level of community awareness about the prevention of cruelty to animals.

This legislation covers all animals including livestock, feral animals, animals used in exhibition, research or recreation and those kept as pets. Anyone who owns, manages or is involved with animals needs to be aware of their legal responsibilities in respect of those animals.

The legislation sets out the major cruelty offences, as well as addressing a range of animal procedures, uses and devices including trapping, rodeos and prohibiting certain procedures or devices.

Codes of Practice

Currently, there are 18 Codes of Practice for Animal Welfare (see page 12) that relate to each industry and sector of the supply chain. These Codes describe the acceptable practices that both ‘must’ and ‘should’ be used in ensuring the welfare of the animal in question. These Codes are now being re-written as Australian Welfare Standards, intended for integration in legislation in all jurisdictions.

Currently, the Codes are voluntary, but compliance with the Codes can provide a defence against a cruelty charge.

Stock (Seller Liability and Declarations) Act 1993

This Act requires that certain species of stock be free of disease and not be in particular conditions when sold. It establishes a system that enables sellers of these species of stock to declare that particular stock or livestock products (e.g. milk, wool or honey) sold by them meet a specified description. The Act enables buyers of stock or livestock products to have confidence in those declarations.

In this way, the Act helps to protect and ensure the quality of livestock and livestock products for national and international markets.

Codes of Practice

Cattle

• Code of accepted farming practice for the welfare of cattle

Deer

• Code of accepted farming practice for the welfare of deer

Emus

• Code of practice for the husbandry of captive emus

Goats

• Code of practice for the welfare of goats

Horses

• Code of accepted practice for the welfare of horses Code of practice for the welfare of horses competing at bush races
• Code of practice for the land transport of horses
• Code of practice for the welfare of horses at horse hire establishments

Pigs

• Code of accepted farming practice for the welfare of pigs
• Code of practice for the land transport of pigs

Poultry

• Code of accepted farming practice for the welfare of poultry
• Code of practice for the land transport of poultry

Rabbits

• Code of practice for the intensive husbandry of rabbits

Rodeos

• Code of practice for the welfare of rodeo and rodeo school livestock

Saleyards

• Code of practice for the welfare of animals at saleyards

Sheep

• Code of accepted farming practice for the welfare of sheep

Tethering Animals

• Code of practice for the tethering of animals

Transportation (see horses, pigs, poultry for specific Codes)

• Code of practice for the welfare of animals during transportation

Legislation and the farmer

Key questions for producers about livestock management

The following checklist provides producers with a starting point for assessing their livestock management. More information is available in the following table or by phoning the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or visiting www.dpi.vic.gov.au

Administrative

• Do you have a Property Identification Code (PIC) for your farm?
• Are your livestock and their property of origin clearly identifiable (as per the NLIS)?
• Have you completed a Property Risk Assessment for your enterprise?
• Do you have procedures in place for safe and responsible livestock treatments?
• Do you have procedures in place for the preparation for dispatch and subsequent movement of livestock?
• Do you have a copies of the relevant Codes of Practice relating to the livestock you manage, and are you familiar with its contents and your responsibilities?
• Do you have a list of all chemicals and veterinary products used on your livestock?
• Do you know what a withholding period for a veterinary chemical product is?
• Do you keep records of where your feed comes from (so you can record it on your NVD forms)?
• Are you aware of your legal responsibilities for other animals on your property (dogs, cats, horses, etc)?

Livestock Management

• Are you aware of your legal responsibilities under the national Land Transport Standards for movement of livestock?
• Is there an accredited livestock management program in place on your farm?
• Do you know the health status of incoming stock?
• Are introduced stock kept separate for a period of time and observed for signs of disease?
• Do you have a routine preventative vaccination program for your livestock?
• Can you recognise ‘sick’ and ‘healthy’ livestock?
• Are sick and dead livestock, in particular reproductive losses (abortions, mummies, stillbirths), recorded as part of a health-monitoring program?
• Is there a plan for managing sick and/or compromised livestock?
• Do you have a written method of euthanizing sick/compromised livestock in a timely and humane manner?
• Are you aware of the recommended methods for undertaking management procedures (castration, dehorning, taildocking etc) on livestock?
• Do you have an understanding of good handling methods to reduce stress on both livestock and handlers?

Knowledge

• Do all of the people who work with your livestock have training in Emergency Animal Diseases (EADs)?
• Do you know what to do when unknown dogs or cats stray onto your property?

Farm activity or situation	On-farm obligations or implications
Traceability
Traceability	Livestock traceability is an important issue for the purposes of disease control, product integrity issues and market access. It helps reduce response time, thereby limiting economic, environmental and social impacts of emergency situations such as disease outbreaks. The NLIS is Australia’s system for tracing livestock. Industry-led animal identification systems that meet with National Traceability Performance Standards exist for cattle, sheep and goats. DPI enforces the identification requirements for these sectors under the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 and corresponding regulations.
Property Identification Code	A PIC is the eight character alphanumeric code allocated by DPI to a livestock producing property to allow traceability. If you own cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas, deer, horses or more than 500 poultry (being any domesticated fowl, including emu or ostriches), you require a PIC. Producers can obtain a PIC by completing the application form available on the DPI website. Application forms are also available from DPI offices, or by phoning DPI’s NLIS Helpline on 1800 678 779 during business hours to have a form sent by mail or fax. To order Livestock Tags online visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au.
National Livestock Identification System (NLIS)	The NLIS is Australia’s system for identifying and tracking beef and dairy cattle, sheep and goats. The NLIS enables livestock to be identified and tracked from their property of birth to slaughter. This protects the reputation of Victoria’s livestock industry as a supplier of ‘clean’ meat and dairy products, providing a competitive advantage in domestic and export markets.
NLIS and cattle	The Victorian NLIS Implementation Advisory Committee has prepared a code to provide guidance to cattle industry participants on operational aspects of the NLIS in Victoria regarding NLIS identified cattle moving between properties or to abattoirs, or being traded in saleyards. The code reflects industry best practice and many areas are underpinned by the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994. In short, cattle must be individually identified before they are sold, dispatched for sale at saleyards, or sent to abattoirs or knackeries. When moved they must be accompanied by a National Vendor Declaration. In 2002 Victoria introduced the NLIS, a microchip ear tag system for cattle. For further information on the details of NLIS see ‘What is NLIS?’ and ‘NLIS EarTags’ on the DPI website www.dpi.vic.gov.au.
NLIS and sheep and Goats	All sheep and farmed goats must be identified with an NLIS (Sheep) Breeder Tag before being dispatched to a saleyard, abattoir, or to another property (with a different PIC). NLIS (Sheep) Tags, whether visually readable or electronic, must have printed on them the PIC of the property on which they are used. NLIS (Sheep) Breeder Tags are colour coded for year of birth. The tags are visually readable and can only be used to identify sheep and goats that are still on their properties of birth. Breeders are strongly encouraged to use the correct year of birth colour. Consignors must provide a NVD when dispatching sheep or farmed goats of any age to a saleyard, abattoir or another property (with a different PIC).
National Vendor Declaration (NVD) Forms	Consignors must provide a NVD when dispatching cattle, sheep or goats of any age to a saleyard, abattoir or another property (with a different PIC). Cattle, sheep and goat producers who have a valid PIC can obtain Livestock Production Assurance NVDs by phoning the Livestock Production Assurance helpline on 1800 683 111 during office hours or by visiting Meat & Livestock Australia website. Go to www.mla.com.au and follow the link to Livestock Production Assurance (food safety and quality assurance). For further information and application forms contact the DPI’s Help Line 1800 678 779.
Pig identification	Under the Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2006, all pigs being consigned for sale or to an abattoir or knackery for slaughter must be identified by either a tattoo brand or ear tag, depending on bodyweight, before they leave their property of origin. Full details of the identification requirement for pigs on the DPI‘s website – Pig Identification Systems: Tattoo Branding and Ear Tagging (December 2008). If a pig is sold privately and is to remain on the purchaser’s property for 30 days or more, it does not have to be tattooed or tagged as shown above but it must be accompanied by a document that identifies the pig by breed, sex and age and contains the vendor’s PIC. For further information visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au
Livestock Management Standards
Livestock Standards	The implementation of the first set of Australian Welfare Standards, the Australian Standards and Guidelines for the Welfare of Animals – Land Transport of Livestock (Land Transport Standards), will commence in Victoria in 2010. The national Australian Welfare Standards for sheep, cattle, poultry, saleyards, processing plants and other livestock sectors will follow over the next three to five years. The Land Transport Standards will be the legal management requirements for livestock welfare during transport. It and the other Australian Welfare Standards, as developed, will provide the basis for developing and implementing consistent legislation across Australia. The Land Transport Standards will replace the five Victorian Codes of Practice relating to transport. The Land Transport Standards cover the transport of livestock by road, rail and by livestock transport vehicle aboard a ship. They apply to the major commercial livestock industries in Australia: cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, alpacas, poultry, emus, ostriches, buffalo, deer and camels. They cover: Planning and contingencies Maintenance and design of transport vehicles and equipment Staff competency Selection of livestock for transport Handling, loading, transportation and unloading of livestock to minimise stress and injuries. For more information go to: www.animalwelfarestandards.net.au/aahc/australian-animalwelfare-standards-and-guidelines/land-transport/land-transport_home.cfm
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Care and husbandry	Livestock are kept in a variety of situations, ranging from extensive grazing to close confinement and housing. Whatever the form of husbandry, owners and managers have a moral and legal responsibility to care for the welfare of animals under their control. The basic needs of livestock – adequate food, water, air, shelter, treatment, comfort and the freedom to move and express normal behaviour patterns – must be met.
Procedures and devices	There a number of procedures and devices that are currently prohibited or regulated under the animal cruelty legislation. Procedures such as tooth grinding/trimming (using powered tools) of sheep are prohibited, as is the use of devices such as electro-immobilisers. Use of devices that impart an electric stimulation or shock, such as electric prodders or electronic collars (such as for training dogs), are also regulated and only allowed for use on some species and under set conditions. For further information visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/animalwelfare.
Housing of poultry	Minimum cage sizes/floor areas for domestic fowl used in egg or meat production are set out in the Prevention of Cruely to Animals (Domestic Fowl) Regulations 2006. If you are involved in poultry farming, you need to ensure your facility at least meets the minimum size requirements. For further information on the poultry regulations, visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/animalwelfare, The relevant regulations can be downloaded from the legislation page.
Victorian Codes of Practice relating to livestock	Victorian Codes of Practice for Animal Welfare The national model livestock codes of practice are being gradually adapted into national Animal Welfare Standards and will then be adopted as Livestock Management Standards under the Livestock Management Act 2010 (Vic). However until that process is achieved for the various species and activities, the Codes of Practice still apply in Victoria and set out the recommended minimum practices relating to animal welfare. The Codes set out minimum recommended standards for food, water, housing, shelter, treatment and euthanasia. They also set out what procedures can be undertaken on animals and under what conditions. Appendix 1 sets out the Codes of Practice that currently apply to livestock. There are also a number of other Codes relating to non-livestock species and activities. Copies are available for download at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/animalwelfare.
Trapping	All the requirements related to trapping can be found in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008. These provisions are in place, not to prevent trapping, but to ensure that pest animals are trapped and destroyed humanely. The Regulations are also designed to minimise non-target animals being captured. Serrated jawed traps can no longer be used, leg or foot hold traps must be soft jawed and there are maximum sizes for the traps that can be used for rabbits, foxes and wild dogs. Traps must be checked at least every 24 hours. Glue traps cannot be used for rodent control on farms, unless set by a professional pest control operator approved by the Minister.
Biosecurity
Biosecurity	Biosecurity Victoria develops policy, standards, delivery systems and services that reduce the threat of invasive plants and animals to agriculture and the natural environment, protects animals and plants from pests and diseases, enhances food safety, ensures minimal and effective chemical use, protects the welfare of animals and preserves and expands market access for Victoria’s primary industries. While there is currently no specific biosecurity legislation in place, it is important for producers to identify risks and remain vigilant in looking for potential diseases in plants and animals.
Stray or trespassing livestock
Confinement of livestock	Livestock must be properly confined to your property. Wandering stock can cause a nuisance to neighbours, particularly where males wander into breeding or young herds. Even more importantly, producers need to ensure livestock do not wander onto roads where they can create a serious road safety issue. Wandering livestock have caused fatal vehicle accidents. Local Council officers have the power to issue notices to confine stock and improve fencing where livestock are not adequately confined. This can apply where fencing is in place but is insufficient to confine livestock.
Agistment	It is common for producers to agist livestock on properties. Ensure you have a written agreement in place to handle defaults in payment, sick or injured animals and abandonment of livestock. Where no agreement is in place landowners can be held responsible for livestock on their property which have welfare problems or cause a nuisance. Sample agreements are available on the DPI website. Under the provisions in the Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 relating to horse agistment, land owners can place a lien over horses where owners have defaulted in payment or abandoned a horse on the property. Further information on liens for horses is available on the DPI website. Where animals are abandoned, contact your local Council or RSPCA for assistance.
Domestic Animals
Working dogs	Whilst dogs are not livestock most producers will have working dogs on the property. Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, all dogs are required to be registered with the local Council and microchip identified (with some exemptions). Dogs must be confined to the property to prevent them causing nuisance on other properties or roads or attacking or threatening other animals. They must be restrained to prevent them falling from moving vehicles or trailers, except when working livestock. If tethering dogs, you need to ensure they have adequate shelter and water at all times and are tethered in such a way to avoid injury. A brochure setting out your responsibilities for your working dogs is available from the DPI website. There is a Code or Practice for the Private Keeping of Dogs that outlines responsible ownership and welfare requirements.
Microchip identification	Microchipping of dogs (and cats) is compulsory in Victoria. Only authorised persons (most veterinarians and other authorised persons) can implant a microchip and the information must be sent by them to a licensed microchip registry (to protect owner’s information and rights). If your contact details change, ensure you update the registry. It is not compulsory to microchip a horse – but if it is microchipped it must be in accordance with the Domestic Animals Act 1994. Only vets can implant microchips into horses, and must do so in accordance with the standard implantation procedure. The horse and owner information is then recorded on a licensed microchip registry.
Cats	While cats can make great pets it is important they are de-sexed to prevent indiscriminate or unwanted breeding adding to the feral cat population. They are required to be registered with the Council and microchip identified. There is a Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Cats that outlines responsible ownership and welfare requirements.

Further information

For more information on livestock management contact the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au

Biosecurity

http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/about-agriculture/biosecurity-victoria

National Livestock Identification

http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/about-agriculture/nlis-livestock-tags

Livestock Management Act 2010

www.legislation.vic.gov.au

Livestock Management Act 2010 Standards Fact Sheets

www.dpi.vic.gov.au, currently under: About Agriculture>Animals and Livestock>Animal Welfare. 

Livestock Management Information Notes

http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/notes/animals-and-livestock-2

Australian Animal Welfare Strategy

www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/welfare/aaws

Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Animals

www.dpi.vic.gov.au/animalwelfare, under legislation and Codes of Practice>Codes of Practice.

Animal Welfare information

www.dpi.vic.gov.au/animalwelfare

Working dogs information

www.dpi.vic.gov.au/pets under all about dogs>working dogs

Impounding of livestock

www.dpi.vic.gov.au/animalwelfare

Agistment and horse liens

www.dpi.vic.gov.au/animalwelfare under horse agistment or www.dpi.vic.gov.au under about agriculture>new rural landholders>factsheets

Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines

www.animalwelfarestandards.net.au

Animal Health Australia

www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au

Farm biosecurity toolkit

www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/toolkit

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

www.aqis.gov.au

ISBN 978-1-74264-496-7 (print)
ISBN 978-1-74264-497-4 (online)