ANIMAL WELFARE VICTORIA

 The new Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (POCTA) Regulations 2019 commence on 14 December 2019, replacing the previous POCTA Regulations 2008.

The Victorian Government thanks the 2468 individuals and organisations who provided a wide variety of submissions and comments on the draft POCTA Regulations 2019.

As of 14 December 2019, the conditions that rodeo licence or permit holders must comply with are those specified in the POCTA Regulations 2019.  

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.

Regulation of rodeos has been largely continued unchanged including the requirement for a licence or permit to operate a rodeo or rodeo school. Animal Welfare Victoria will provide current licence and permit holders further advice on the new application processes under the POCTA Regulations 2019.

Notable changes include:

·         New requirement for an Animal Welfare Plan to be submitted when applying for a rodeo, or rodeo school, licence or permit (Regulations 71 & 72)

·         Flexibility for start and finish times to allow for weather extremes

·         Ability for the Man from Snowy River Bush Festival to apply for a permit to operate a brumby catch event at that festival (Regulation 72)

·         Clearer application process, including charging of fees, for Ministerial approval of a Rodeo organisation (Regulation 74)

·         New provision prohibiting motor vehicles from being present in the arena while the rodeo, or rodeo school, is being held except in an emergency situation (Regulation 103)

·         Updated fees for Rodeo/Rodeo School licences and permits (Regulation 150)

·         The POCTA Regulations 2019 extend current rodeo organisation approvals until 31 May 2020.

The regulations also make improvements in other areas on important animal welfare issues including:

·         Animal transportation and tethering requirements

·         Confinement of animals in vehicles on hot days

·         Use of pain relief for mulesing of sheep

·         Sale and use of appropriate fruit netting to protect wildlife

·         Scientific procedure record-keeping, the sourcing of animals, and training of Animal Ethics Committee members.

Visit https://engage.vic.gov.au/prevention-cruelty-animals-draft-regulations-2019 for a summary of the consultation process, feedback received and changes made to the regulations.

The full POCTA Regulations 2019 are available at  https://go.vic.gov.au/QhgaO1

If you have any questions, please contact the Animal Welfare team at animal.welfare@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Further information on the regulations and what is required will be available at animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

Kind regards,

Animal Welfare Policy Team
Pets and Animal Welfare | Animal Welfare Victoria
Agriculture Victoria | Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions
475 Mickleham Rd, Attwood, Victoria 3049
animal.welfare@agriculture.vic.gov.au

animalwelfare.vic.gov.au