❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses animal welfare inspections on farms, including the number of inspections, locations, industries, notice given, and related legal proceedings and budgets for 2007-2009. The response indicates limited routine inspections and reliance on warrants or consent for farm entry.
AnsweredQoN 18Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How many inspections have occurred in 2007-2008 to date?
(2) For each inspection that has occurred in 2007-2008, -
(a) what was the location;
(b) what was the industry;
(c) was notice given; and
(d) if yes to (c), how much notice?
(3) Are there any animal cruelty proceedings currently underway in regard to cases of cruelty on farms?
(4) If yes to (3), -
(a) how many; and
(b) which industries are involved?
(5) What budget was there for this work in 2007-2008?
(6) What budget is there for this work in 2008-2009?
(2) For each inspection that has occurred in 2007-2008, -
(a) what was the location;
(b) what was the industry;
(c) was notice given; and
(d) if yes to (c), how much notice?
(3) Are there any animal cruelty proceedings currently underway in regard to cases of cruelty on farms?
(4) If yes to (3), -
(a) how many; and
(b) which industries are involved?
(5) What budget was there for this work in 2007-2008?
(6) What budget is there for this work in 2008-2009?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
9 March 2009
Responded by
Minister for Energy representing the Minister for Local Government
Response time
118 days
(1) The Department does not undertake routine farm inspections under its animal welfare compliance activities. Routine inspections are undertaken at various non-privately owned locations such as FremantlePort, Midland Saleyeards and some regional saleyards. Routine inspection of some feedlots supplying livestock to FremantlePortis undertaken with consent of the owners.
Under the
Animal Welfare Act 2002
, General Inspectors can only enter farms and other places, in the absence of the consent of the owner, if notice has been given to the occupier or person in charge and no objection is made within a nominated time, under a warrant, or in situations where there is reasonable suspicion that an offence under the Act has been, or is being committed at the place, or is likely to be, or continue to be, committed if entry is not effected.
However, it is Departmental policy that its General inspectors will only enter private properties after a warrant has been obtained, unless the situation is a high-level emergency, or the occupier or person in charge has consented.
Over the period 1 January 2007 to 19 February 2009, complaints were received by the Department alleging animal welfare incidents on six farming properties.
(2a-b) The complaints related to properties at Gnowangerup, Broomehill, Chidlow and Wickepin (sheep) and at Gingin and Serpentine-Jarrahdale (pigs).
(2c-d) Warrants were used to enter three of the properties. Consent was obtained to enter the remaining properties where the alleged incidents were viewed as being amenable to owner education rather than prosecution.
(3) Yes.
(4a-b) Two matters are before the courts - one relating to pigs and one relating to sheep. Of the remaining four matters, one owner received a formal caution and three resulted in educational outcomes.
(5) There was no specific Departmental budget for farm investigations during 2007-08.
(6) There is no specific Departmental budget for farm investigations in 2008-09.
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Under the
Animal Welfare Act 2002
, General Inspectors can only enter farms and other places, in the absence of the consent of the owner, if notice has been given to the occupier or person in charge and no objection is made within a nominated time, under a warrant, or in situations where there is reasonable suspicion that an offence under the Act has been, or is being committed at the place, or is likely to be, or continue to be, committed if entry is not effected.
However, it is Departmental policy that its General inspectors will only enter private properties after a warrant has been obtained, unless the situation is a high-level emergency, or the occupier or person in charge has consented.
Over the period 1 January 2007 to 19 February 2009, complaints were received by the Department alleging animal welfare incidents on six farming properties.
(2a-b) The complaints related to properties at Gnowangerup, Broomehill, Chidlow and Wickepin (sheep) and at Gingin and Serpentine-Jarrahdale (pigs).
(2c-d) Warrants were used to enter three of the properties. Consent was obtained to enter the remaining properties where the alleged incidents were viewed as being amenable to owner education rather than prosecution.
(3) Yes.
(4a-b) Two matters are before the courts - one relating to pigs and one relating to sheep. Of the remaining four matters, one owner received a formal caution and three resulted in educational outcomes.
(5) There was no specific Departmental budget for farm investigations during 2007-08.
(6) There is no specific Departmental budget for farm investigations in 2008-09.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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