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Sound Animal Welfare Practices
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The welfare of all animals in Australia is promoted and protected by the development and adoption of sound animal welfare standards and practices…
… animal welfare is a complex issue. Science and ethics are both essential. Science provides the body of evidence about animals that is used for moral and ethical judgements about their welfare. At the same time, decisions about animal welfare are influenced by cultural, social, economic and occupational health and safety considerations.
(The Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS) has been coordinated by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry on behalf of the Primary Industries Standing Committee.)
Sound animal welfare practices in agricultural production involve the implementation of practices that provide conditions and treatment appropriate for the animal species. They are informed by evidence gained from rigorous, impartial scientific research into both physiological and behavioural aspects of the particular species.
An anthropomorphic view of animals (i.e. that animals have the same needs, reactions and feelings as humans) does not form part of sound animal welfare practices because animals have different perceptions and values from humans.
Why teach sound animal welfare practices in agriculture teaching?
There are many reasons for teaching sound animal welfare practices in agriculture:
Ethical
Communities have strong expectations and views about the ethical treatment of animals. Within any community there will be diversity of views about what constitutes ethical treatment. Teachers must be sensitive to these views. In NSW schools ethical treatment of animals is informed by current scientific evidence.
Legal
Schools must comply with legislative requirements. Legislative requirements are interpreted for schools in the Guidelines and in addition for NSW public schools in the Animal welfare – schools policy. A full list of the relevant legislation is available in Legislation.
Safety
Occupational health and safety is maximised when animals are managed using sound animal welfare practices. For example, minimising the use of aversive stimuli (such as cattle prods) when moving cattle through yards makes them less hyper-reactive and defensive and so less likely to injure personnel.
Economic
Sound animal welfare practices can enhance productivity. For example, meeting the behavioural needs of poultry can reduce wastage as a result of cannibalism.
Curriculum
Both Agricultural Technology Years 7-10 and Agriculture Years 11-12 syllabuses require students to learn about ethical, legal and welfare issues related to animal production. Syllabus outcomes and content that require students to learn about animal welfare practices are presented as a summary at Agricultural Technology Years 7-10(pdf 49kb) and Agricultural Technology Years 11-12(pdf 44kb).
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