The Andrews Labor Government is introducing new rules to protect the welfare of Victorian animals, with the updated Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (POCTA) Regulations now in effect

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes announced the rules that will come into force, following extensive consultation that attracted more than 2,000 submissions helping shape a new modern set of regulations.

Animals play a huge part in Victorians’ everyday lives and play a crucial role in the state’s economy. It is important that the POCTA regulations support Victoria’s primary animal welfare legislation to minimise harm to animals.

The new regulations replace the existing 2008 POCTA Regulations which were due to expire, making important improvements on 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 tree netting to protect wildlife
• Operational and administrative processes for rodeos
• Scientific procedure record-keeping and the sourcing of animals.

The Labor Government will now separately progress the review of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 and our commitment to modernise Victoria’s animal welfare laws; to support better harm prevention, improved education for those who live and work around animals and a more effective regulatory and penalty response.

For more information about the new POCTA Regulations 2019, visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au.