Animal Welfare

In reply to the Hon. B.R. HOOD ().30 November 2023).

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): The Minister for Climate, Environment and Water has advised:

The South Australian government has made a number of key commitments for animal welfare reforms, including to amend the Animal Welfare Act 1985 (the Act) to ensure it reflects the community's expectations to protect animals.

The concept of animal sentience is already implied in the current Act. Public consultation on the draft bill will commence in 2024 and more clearly defining animal sentience is one of the reform areas being explored.

The act review does not propose to exceed current protections afforded by other jurisdictions, rather to bring South Australia in line with them. Primary producers and the seafood industry are being consulted during the review process and the Department for Environment and Water is considering how interstate mechanisms could be applied within South Australia's legislation to ensure industries are not unduly impacted by the proposed amendments.