Federal laws to create a new Inspector-General of animal welfare and live animal exports have passed through parliament this week, in a move that the minister responsible says will set a high standard for industry, trading partners and the wider community.
Labor announced $4 million over four years for the role — which was an election promise — in last year’s October Budget.
Murray Watt, the minister for agriculture, fisheries and forestry, issued a statement describing the new role as a commitment to more meaningful and targeted oversight of the live-export sector.
“We made a promise to improve animal welfare oversight going into the 2022 election, and we have delivered on this promise,” Watt said.
The Inspector-General role would improve confidence and lift standards, accountability and transparency in Australia’s regulation of the practice, the minister added.
An Australian Animal Welfare Strategy, updating a version that is now about 17 years old, will also be developed with a further $5 million in federal money.
“This will ensure exported livestock are treated as humanely as possible, and our trading partners can be assured that the livestock they import meet our high animal welfare and regulatory standards,” Watt said.
“We will continue to take the commonwealth’s animal welfare responsibilities seriously, while working constructively with our state and territory counterparts.”
Now the legislation has been approved by parliament, the minister said the search for a candidate to appoint to the role could begin.
“I’m looking forward to this next chapter in improving outcomes for exported Australian livestock,” Watt said.
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