DPI&F General Manager of Animal Welfare, Dr Rick Symons, said the document is open for public comment and he is keen to hear from interested parties.

"The community, poultry industry and markets for poultry products have an expectation that poultry are treated humanely," Dr Symons said.

"To achieve this, persons in charge of poultry have a duty of care to their animals and must comply with the Poultry Standards.

"The Poultry Welfare Monitoring Programme is aimed at preventing animal suffering, promoting standards of animal care and ensuring that people with poultry understand and comply with the Poultry Standards.

"We are keen to hear from anyone interested in making a comment to ensure the final monitoring program is acceptable to the public and industry," Dr Symons said.

To ensure compliance, the final monitoring programme will include audits of poultry producers by authorised officers appointed by DPI&F.

Industry quality assurance programmes may also be approved by DPI&F if they meet the principles of the monitoring program.

The final date for public comment is 25 January 2009.

The final programme will be published after all comments have been considered.

Further Reading

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You can view copies of the Draft Poultry Welfare Monitoring Program and the guide to the program by clicking here.