8/2/08
Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance has acknowledged that today’s decision in the Magistrates Court provides more clarity on the powers of the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
The long running case had the potential to impact on the future of Western Australia’s huge exports of live sheep, cattle and camels to the Middle East, the North Africa region and to South-East Asia.
Mr Chance said the Magistrates Court had provided much needed clarification on the scope of the Animal Welfare Act.
“The Act provides modern and comprehensive protection of animal welfare,” he said.
However, the Minister said the scope of the Act was contained within the State’s jurisdiction and did not extend to international waters or to areas properly covered by Commonwealth of Australia jurisdiction.
Mr Chance confirmed that the Government’s support for the live export industry was conditional upon it demonstrating world-leading performance in providing the highest standards of animal welfare, not only in Australia, but also during the voyage and on arrival in destination markets.
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