The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines

The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for sheep stipulate that good husbandry principles include:

• “Assessment of the need to undertake any husbandry procedures that may result in significant short-term pain against alternative strategies for the long-term welfare of the sheep/cattle.”
• “Undertaking of any husbandry procedures required for planned flock herd management in a manner that reduces the impact of these procedures and minimises risks to sheep welfare.”

Specifically for sheep producers:

• “G6.14 Tail docking and castration should be accompanied by pain relief when practical and cost-effective methods become available. Operators should seek advice on current pain minimisation strategies.”
• “G7.8 Mulesing should be accompanied by pain relief where practical and cost-effective methods are available. Operators should seek advice on current pain minimisation strategies.”