5 September 2019

The Andrews Labor Government is inviting Victorians to provide feedback on proposed new regulations to prevent cruelty to animals in Victoria.

Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing today welcomed the opening of consultation on the proposed Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (POCTA) Regulations 2019, which will make improvements on important animal welfare issues including:

• Animal transportation and tethering requirements
• Use of pain relief for mulesing of sheep
• Sale and use of wildlife-safe fruit netting
• Sale and use of electronic devices
• Approvals and other processes related to the use of traps
• Operational and administrative processes for rodeos
• Scientific procedure record-keeping, the sourcing of animals, and training of Animal Ethic Committee members.

The POCTA Regulations aim to protect the welfare of animals in Victoria by supporting the state’s primary animal welfare legislation to prevent, or minimise, harm through regulation of specific activities.

The proposed new regulations and associated Regulatory Impact Statement can be viewed on the Engage Victoria website.

The new regulations will replace the existing regulations, which expire on 15 December.

Consultation is open until Thursday, 26 September. For more information, visit engage.vic.gov.au/prevention-cruelty-animals-draft-regulations-2019.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing

“This is an opportunity for people across Eastern Victoria to have their say on an update to Victoria’s animal welfare regulations.”

“The proposed regulations address some important animal welfare issues and I’d encourage everyone in Eastern Victoria to have their say through the Engage Victoria website.”