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ns Haveyoursayonanewanimalwelfareact
ties for improvement. The government has already made reforms to improve animal wel- fare, including mandatory pain relief when mulesing sheep, regulating appro- priate fruit tree netting to protect wildlife and intro- ducing the Pet Exchange Register to improve the traceability of cats and
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VICTORIANS have the chance to help improve animal welfare in the state by shaping new legislation, with a Direc-
manely,” Minister Symes said.
must meet the basic needs of the animal – such as providing adequate food and water, and veterinary treatment for an injury or illness – rather than sim- ply outlawing cruelty.
carers are doing the right thing.
6 tions Paper setting out 3 key proposals and op- tions for a new Animal Welfare Act now avail- able for public comment. Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes recently encouraged Victorians to have their say on the op- tions for the new laws, which will help keep a high standard of animal welfare and support the state’s farmers to main- tain access to important
A new act will deliver on the government’s election commitment to replace the current Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 – which is more than 30 years old.
Other options being considered are how best to deliver on the govern- ment’s commitment to recognise animal sen- tience – meaning they feel pleasure, comfort, discomfort, fear and pain – in the legislation, and how to ensure regulators are better able to drive be- havioural change, monitor compliance and undertake enforcement.
Recognising animal sen- tience would also bring Victoria in line with other Australian and interna- tional jurisdictions.
export markets. “Victorians love their
Among the proposals put forward for comment is the setting of mini- mum standards of care people must provide for animals.
This would further pro- tect the welfare of ani- mals, with penalties better aligned with the serious- ness of the offence, and authorised officers bet- ter able to ensure animal
“Our new laws will sim- plify the rules and help those doing the right thing demonstrate their high standard of care for ani- mals.”
investing $3 million to support not-for-profit and community vet clinics, animal shelters and foster carers to purchase equip- ment and improve their services.
animals – that’s why we are encouraging people to provide their feedback and shape new legislation that will help make sure people treat animals hu-
The Directions Paper was developed follow- ing extensive consulta- tion with key industry and community stake- holders about our exist- ing laws and opportuni-
The Directions Paper and survey on the proposals for the new act are available at engage.vic.gov.au
The Directions Paper sets out several proposals for the new act, which aim to strengthen Victoria’s repu- tation as a humane and re- sponsible producer of food, and to maintain public con- fidence in the agriculture industry, research institu- tions and many other ani- mal sectors.
“Right now, animal wel- fare obligations are spread through multiple acts, reg- ulations, several national standards and guidelines, and almost 30 codes of practice,” Minister Symes said.
dogs.
The government is also
This would mean peo- ple caring for animals
The survey closes on Monday December 14, 2020.
Virtual hatchery connects farm to classroom
HOME schooling and delivering stimulating and practical lessons for students in the classroom has been made easier, with the Australian Eggs ‘All About Eggs’ educa- tion program launching a brand-new virtual hatch- ery experience.
Thanks to the power of technology, the virtual
The virtual hatchery, through a series of short videos, capture how chicks are born, grow and change within their first few days in a hatchery.
In addition to the vir- tual hatchery video series, Australian Eggs enlisted the help of Poultry Wel- fare Manager at Days Eggs, chick expert and egg farmer, Jess Spencer, to host a live and interac- tive learning session.
“The virtual hatchery program gives us the op- portunity to teach students in metropolitan, regional and remote classrooms across Australia about Australian farming prac- tices and connecting them with their food source.
hatchery gives students the opportunity to enjoy a real farm experience with- out actually being there.
These excursions al- lowed students to watch chickens hatching and in their early growth phase.
ship with Kimberlin Ed- ucation, the All About Eggs program provides a variety of fun and informative activities across primary and high school education, to en- courage learning about chicks, hens, egg produc- tion and the importance of the egg industry in Australia.
Thursday October 22, was free to attend.
The idea for the virtual hatchery experience was hatched in response to COVID-19 restrictions that prevented schools from participating in excursions centred around real-life chicken hatcheries.
This forms the founda- tion of a learning pro- gram, teaching students what it takes to get an egg from farm to plate.
Australian Eggs manag- ing director Rowan Mc- Monnies said, “In Aus- tralia, over 17 million eggs are consumed every day.”
Each segment has been designed to teach students about life cycles and see first-hand where eggs come from.
“The process of egg farming happens faster than in other agricultural industries, and students will learn about how many egg farming busi- nesses raise the hens and collect, wash, grade, pack and transport the eggs to market themselves – sometimes all in the one day,” Mr McMonnies said.
Supported by additional activities that link with the Australian curricu- lum areas of Visual Arts, Science, and Health and Physical Education, the virtual hatchery experi- ence aims to educate stu- dents about how chicks develop inside an egg, the properties of eggs, the needs of living things and how eggs fit into a bal- anced diet.
Broadcast from the farm in South Australia where Jess is responsi- ble for the health and welfare of almost half a million laying hens, the session gave students the opportunity to par- ticipate in egg-themed activities and quizzes, as well as ask questions that could be answered directly from the source.
For more information on All About Eggs and the virtual hatchery program, visit australianeggs.org. au/education
Developed in partner-
The session, held on
Page 8 – National Poultry Newspaper, November 2020
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