AMIC acting CEO Tim Ryan
Australian Meat Industry Council acting chief executive Tim Ryan said the update reflected the commitment to best-practice animal welfare standards in the meat industry.
“The release of version 4.0 of the AAWCS standards, which includes mandatory video surveillance systems, highlights our dedication to ensuring the humane treatment of livestock throughout the processing chain,” Mr Ryan said.
CCTV technology is already widely embraced on a voluntary basis by the processing industry and is designed to help processors monitor and validate animal welfare in their facilities.
“Livestock processing establishments already address issues associated with food safety and meat quality using sophisticated quality assurance systems,” Mr Ryan said.
“Animal welfare is no different and the application of quality assurance principles ensures a comprehensive approach, and assists industry to continually improve and demonstrate animal welfare outcomes,” he said.
The updated standards were developed in consultation with the RSPCA, AUSMeat, the Australian Meat Processor Corporation, the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and an independent animal welfare expert.
Compliance with the updated standards will become a mandatory component of AAWCS from 1 January next year.
The Australian Animal Welfare Certification System (AAWCS) is an independently-audited certification program established in 2013. It ensures adherence to best-practice animal welfare standards from the receival of livestock through to processing. AAWCS accredited facilities include more than 80 percent of sheep, cattle and pigs processed in Australia.
Benchmarking of AAWCS against global standards has previously shown that the program is world’s best practice, AMPC said.
“AMPC is now undertaking a benchmarking project assessing the updated AAWCS provisions against key global animal welfare standards to ensure the standards continue to be recognised as best practice internationally, and that we have the evidence to support that claim,” AMPC’s program manager for markets and integrity, Ann McDonald said.
The processing sector continues to push the boundaries to ensure industry remains at the forefront of animal welfare. For example the Casino Food Co-Operative in Northern NSW is investigating the use of AI to support the monitoring of animal behavior.
“We are working with the CSIRO team to develop and test the use of AI models in lairage to detect and monitor animal behaviours related to both wellbeing and quality,” Kalani Moss from the Casino Food Co-Op said.
“The project has achieved successful results in identifying if animals are relaxed, drinking and displaying normal behaviours,” she said.
“Work continues to enhance the detection of animal behaviours where this information can be used for management decisions and ensure best practice.”
To ensure a smooth transition, AMIC will provide ongoing support and resources to members implementing the updated AAWCS standards.
RSPCA response
In a statement, the RSPCA commended the Australian Meat Industry Council for the inclusion of mandatory video surveillance into the updated Australian Livestock Processing Industry Animal Welfare Certification System in red meat processing facilities.
The RSPCA had long advocated for mandatory video surveillance to monitor and validate animal welfare practices in all abattoirs and processing facilities, it said.
RSPCA chief executive Richard Mussell said it was positive news that an industry standard would be established that required processing establishments to implement video surveillance systems into their operations to be certified.
“Video surveillance is an important way of increasing transparency when it comes to the welfare of these animals,” Mr Mussell said.
“The public will equally welcome the assurance animal welfare is being upheld in AAWCS certified red meat processing facilities.
“The updated inclusion of mandatory video surveillance requirements into the updated AAWCS go beyond the minimum regulatory requirements. There is an opportunity to integrate similar CCTV requirements in all abattoirs and processing establishments through the current review of the Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Processing Establishments.”
Incorporating CCTV into Standards and Guidelines mirrored growing community sentiment, RSPCA suggested.
It cited a report commissioned by the Australian Government in 2018 suggesting that 74pc of Australians supported mandatory and independently monitored CCTV systems in processing facilities.
“The RSPCA will continue to work with industry and government to ensure all animals in Australia, regardless of where they are processed, are afforded the same level of welfare protections,” Mr Mussell said.
Detailed guidance, including the updated Implementation Guide, is now available on the AAWCS website. Click here to access.
That’s great news. Is it going to be mandatory in poultry killing facilities too? I hope so.