Thoroughbred Aftercare and Welfare Working Group set to hand down findings
The findings of an extensive independent study into equine welfare in the Australian thoroughbred industry are expected to be handed down in the first quarter of next year.
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Welfare Working Group (TAWWG), established in February after revelations were aired on the ABC’s 7.30 program which detailed the slaughter of racehorses at knackeries, has received more than 180 submissions to its inquiry and also met with more than 50 groups or individuals in relation to the issue.
The panel is chaired by former Victoria premier and veterinarian Dr Denis Napthine.
“The response to the working group has been nothing short of extraordinary. When we put out a public call for submissions we had no idea we would receive so many, or that they would be so diverse and of such high quality,” Napthine said.
“This has given us an important opportunity to follow up through consultation meetings with many more people and groups than we originally anticipated, to extend our understanding of the perspectives of the industry and the wider community.
“When we set out on this process, we had initially expected to deliver our recommendations before Christmas, but the level of engagement we have enjoyed means we have decided to change our timeline.
“We look forward to sharing our findings early in the new year.”
TAWWG was developed by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, the Australian Trainers’ Association and the Australian Jockeys’ Association to review the current welfare landscape and investigate the world’s best practice in equine welfare.
The panel includes Dr Ken Jacobs, a former director of the Australian Veterinary Association; Dr Bidda Jones, the chief science and strategy officer for RSPCA Australia; and Jack Lake, a senior advisor on agricultural policy in the governments led by former prime ministers Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and Kevin Rudd.
They met last month for three days, only the second time the group had come together in person, due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Also providing assistance to the TAWWG is an industry steering group comprising leading trainer Chris Waller; Neil Werrett, a Victoria Racing Club director, Godolphin Australia managing director Vin Cox, Newhaven Park’s John Kelly,the AJA chief executive Martin Talty, ATC chief executive Andrew Nichol and Tom Reilly, the chief executive of TBA.
“I am aware of how much hard work the panel has undertaken; they have read literally thousands of pages of submissions and spent hundreds of hours meeting with people and holding their discussions,” Reilly said.
“’I am very confident their comprehensive report will make a big contribution to improving welfare outcomes in the Thoroughbred industry. Everyone I speak to in the industry acknowledges that welfare is the biggest challenge we face and that it can only be met by working together.
‘’An import aspect of this process is that anyone who has wanted their voice heard on welfare has been able to able to put their opinions to the TAWWG; from the federal government, to racing regulators, to individual trainers and owners, through to those who have strong concerns about the industry.’’