Consultation on a national standard for exhibited animals

With the aim of improving standards for exhibited animals in Australia, a public consultation on proposed national standards and guidelines for exhibited animals is currently being undertaken.

All in the zoo and aquaria sector, the wider exhibited animals sector and those with an interest in the welfare of exhibited animals are encouraged to take part in the consultation for the proposed Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines: Exhibited Animals.

The proposed national standards are intended to create improved and nationally consistent rules for the care and management of animals kept for exhibition purposes at facilities such as zoos, fauna parks, wildlife parks, aquariums and museums with live animal exhibits.

An associated Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) has also been prepared which identifies the costs and benefits of protecting the welfare and security of exhibited animals, and addresses the need for standards.

In a process being led by State and Territory Government ministers responsible for primary industries, views are being sought from interested parties about how well the:

• Proposed standards and guidelines will ensure the welfare and security of exhibited animals, and

• If the consultation RIS demonstrates the need for the standards, and identifies the key costs and benefits of the proposal.

The Consultation RIS incorporates a number of questions which respondents are encouraged to answer.

The outcomes of the public consultation period will strongly influence the future of the exhibited animals industry in Australia.

In a statement, the Zoo and Aquarium Association explained “extensive debate on the value the standards will bring to industry and government continues (and) at this stage, it is not certain that the National Standards for Exhibited Animals will be implemented.

“Feedback to the proposal is therefore highly valued and essential to achieving the best outcome for our industry.”

Zoo and Aquarium Association is endeavoured to represent the interests of its members in the consultation, it is urging individuals and organisations to responses based on their own organisational perspectives.

NSW Department of Primary Industries is coordinating this national initiative between government, industry and welfare groups on behalf of all national, state and territory jurisdictions.

Consultancy firm Tim Harding and Associates is conducting the national consultation process on behalf of the national project.

If agreed, it would be expected that each State and Territory would include the Standards within their laws and/or regulations.

Click here to view and download the relevant documents at the NSW Department of Primary Industries website.

The consultation period ends on Thursday 22nd May 2014.

Editors note: The proposed standard does not apply to circuses and, if adopted will not be an Australian Standard as developed by Standards Australia – the non-government safety and workplace Standards organisation.

The Zoo and Aquarium Association is asking those making responses to the consultation to provide a copy of their responses to nick@zooaquarium.org.au so the Association is aware of various positions and can further support industry needs in the future where appropriate.

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