THE South Australian Government is undertaking a review of the Animal Welfare Act 1985.
The review is being undertaken to ensure the laws governing animal treatment stay up-to-date with “community expectations”. This first stage of the review is focused on understanding community expectations of the Act.
Animal rights groups have used the review process to campaign for amendments to the Act, including adding fish and invertebrates such as crustaceans and molluscs.
According to ABC News, RSPCA South Australia is calling for laws in the state to offer more protections for non-mammal sea animals, including fish, crustaceans and cephalopods.
Currently, the Act does not have protections for fish, crustaceans or cephalopods.
RSPCA South Australia animal welfare advocate Rebekah Eyers said an update was urgently needed.
“The RSPCA believes that fish, crustaceans and cephalopods should all be protected uniformly right across Australia under animal welfare law,” she told the ABC.
“We think this is one of the most urgent changes that is needed.
While some states have different laws for professional and amateur fishers, Dr Eyers said the RSPCA supported one set of rules for all, which incorporated humane storing and killing practices.
“These species have the same needs, and they have the same sentience regardless of whether they’re being used recreationally or commercially,” she said.
Have your say on the Animal Welfare Act. You have until march 26. Every submission counts!
https://yoursay.sa.gov.au/animal-welfare-act-review
