The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) raised concerns the proposed recognition of animal sentience would create legislation that could be manipulated by animal ‘extremists’. 

The Animal Welfare Action Plan released earlier this month recognised the sentience of animals, acknowledging that animals experience sensations such as pleasure, comfort, fear and pain.

The plan also committed to a public review and overhaul of Victoria’s 30-year old Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and to establish a dedicated public sector group called Animal Welfare Victoria.

Fifth-generation Beaufort sheep farmer James Kirkpatrick and vice president of the VFF Livestock Council said the proposed changes would create extra levels of bureaucracy and confusing regulation for farmers.

He said acknowledging animal sentience in law was the wrong approach to animal welfare, which should be about addressing human behaviour to animals, rather than the animals themselves. 

“There are already laws in place under the animal welfare and animal cruelty act. Why have we got to make these massive changes?,” Mr Kirkpatrick said. 

“Australian farmers already adhere to world class animal welfare standards. If you’ve got healthy animals, they’ll produce and perform well.”

Mr Kirkpatrick said the changes proposed under the Animal Welfare Action Plan would not simplify animal welfare legislation, but rather increase levels of bureaucracy to a system that is already working. 

In opposition to the introduction of Animal Welfare Victoria, VFF has instead called for increased investment in the Livestock Industry Consultative Committee, which engages with the government on animal welfare. 

Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford said the Animal Welfare Action Plan would overhaul the 30-year-old “outdated” Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, “bringing it into line with community and industry expectations”.

The Animal Welfare Action Plan identifies four key areas for action to improve the welfare of animals including a policy and legal framework and collaboration that improves animal welfare, and enforcement that is efficient and effective. The reformed animal welfare act will be developed in consultation with key groups and organisations from all animal sectors and will consider regulatory impact, according to the report.