❓ Hon ED DERMER questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding unannounced inspections of piggeries, specifically Westpork, under the Animal Welfare Act 2002, and potential legislative amendments to allow for proactive monitoring.
AnsweredQoN 74Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ANIMAL WELFARE — PIGGERIES INSPECTIONS
74. Hon ED DERMER to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
Mr President —
The PRESIDENT : I am sorry, I made a mistake there! But,
seeing Hon Ed Dermer is retiring, he can get two questions.
Hon Ken Travers : He's got about 10!
Hon ED DERMER : I will make a start.
Some notice of the question
has been given and the reference number on this copy is 81.
(1) Since assuming responsibility in 2011
for the Animal Welfare Act 2002, has the Department of Agriculture and Food WA
undertaken any unannounced inspection at Westpork or any other piggery?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If notice of the visits was given, how much notice was provided?
(4) If the minister considers that existing
legislation does not authorise such inspections, does he intend to seek
amendments to the relevant acts in light of the recent Westpork case?
The
PRESIDENT : That is Hon Ed
Dermer's last bonus!
74. Hon ED DERMER to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
Mr President —
The PRESIDENT : I am sorry, I made a mistake there! But,
seeing Hon Ed Dermer is retiring, he can get two questions.
Hon Ken Travers : He's got about 10!
Hon ED DERMER : I will make a start.
Some notice of the question
has been given and the reference number on this copy is 81.
(1) Since assuming responsibility in 2011
for the Animal Welfare Act 2002, has the Department of Agriculture and Food WA
undertaken any unannounced inspection at Westpork or any other piggery?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If notice of the visits was given, how much notice was provided?
(4) If the minister considers that existing
legislation does not authorise such inspections, does he intend to seek
amendments to the relevant acts in light of the recent Westpork case?
The
PRESIDENT : That is Hon Ed
Dermer's last bonus!
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) No.
(2) Under the Animal Welfare Act 2002, a
general inspector can enter a property unannounced only if there is a
reasonable suspicion of a part 3 offence relating to cruelty or under a
warrant.
(3) A minimum of two days.
(4) Potential amendments to the act are
being assessed to allow access to properties to monitor animal welfare.
(1) No.
(2) Under the Animal Welfare Act 2002, a
general inspector can enter a property unannounced only if there is a
reasonable suspicion of a part 3 offence relating to cruelty or under a
warrant.
(3) A minimum of two days.
(4) Potential amendments to the act are
being assessed to allow access to properties to monitor animal welfare.
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