Littleproud gives support to thoroughbred welfare initiative
Federal Agriculture Minister welcomes creation of Independent Working Group panel in statement ahead of Agriculture Ministers’ Forum
The Australian thoroughbred sector’s push for a national approach to equine welfare has earned the significant support of the Federal Government following the formation of an industry-funded taskforce to make recommendations aimed at ensuring the long-term health and wellbeing of retired horses.
Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud, who is also deputy leader of The Nationals, yesterday welcomed the establishment of the Independent Working Group (IWG) panel, whose terms of reference will be determined by an industry steering committee.
Having written to state counterparts about the issue ahead of next week’s Agriculture Ministers’ Forum calling for their support of the outcomes of IWG, Littleproud said “Australians want the racing industry to uphold high welfare standards”.
“I applaud industry for taking the reins and leading from the front,” Littleproud said in a statement.
“Animal welfare and the regulation of horse racing has always been a state responsibility and their lack of leadership has let the industry down.
“When you have Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller and David Hayes joining horse racing industry bodies to back the initiative, all governments should sit up and take notice.
“I’m also pleased to see both the RSPCA and Australian Veterinary Association will be on the taskforce and the industry is open to their input.
“The initiative will improve industry transparency and ultimately improve animal welfare.
“I want this to succeed, so I’ve offered to the Independent Panel the expertise of the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment.”
Former Victorian Premier and qualified veterinarian Dr Denis Napthine will chair the group that also includes Dr Bidda Jones, chief science and strategy officer for RSPCA Australia, Dr Ken Jacobs, a director of the Australian Veterinary Association, and Jack Lake, a senior advisor on agriculture in the Hawke, Keating and Rudd governments.
The quartet, who had an initial phone hook-up this week, will focus on horses exiting the thoroughbred industry through to end-of-life management.
The Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA)-led plan to tackle horse welfare in the racing industry has the backing of the major stakeholder groups – prominent breeders, leading trainers, jockeys and high-profile owners – who have committed to financially supporting the initiative.
In a separate letter sent to TBA chief executive Tom Reilly yesterday, Littleproud said animal welfare and the regulation of racing was the responsibility of the industry and state and territory governments but reaffirmed the need for a national approach to the issue.
“Gaps in the regulation of animal welfare and the treatment of horses at the end of their racing career are failures that potentially put this billion-dollar industry and those who work in it at risk,” Littleproud wrote.
“I therefore congratulate the industry for stepping in and taking the lead on a national approach and consider it is incumbent on the states, territories and the Commonwealth to back it.”
When announcing the IWG last week, Reilly said the industry needed to forget about state borders in an effort to ensure the issue of horse welfare was dealt with in an appropriate manner in the wake of community concern.
“The challenges of the welfare, rehoming, retraining and end-of-life for thoroughbreds are national issues that are of concern to all participants in the industry,” Reilly said last week.
“We have to acknowledge that if we can improve outcomes in these areas, it is our responsibility to do so.
“Too often our industry is fragmented along state lines. This initiative will facilitate a national discussion with the aim of finding national solutions. Everybody who I have asked for support has been happy to give it and get behind this.”
The IWG is expected to hand down its report and recommendations by the end of the year.