The Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Rural Communities has arranged the biggest reforms of animal welfare laws in Queensland in more than 20 years.
The Minister, Mark Furner said the Government is to deliver on an election commitment to review the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 and see prong collars and other inhuman practices banned.
“Queensland already has some of the strongest animal welfare laws in the country, but we wanted to make sure the Act was current and reflected community expectations,” Mr Furner said.
“The community said to us overwhelmingly inhumane practices like the use of pronged collars have to stop,” he said.
“These collars are designed to train or restrain animals by injuring them and the fact is there are better ways to train our family pets.
He said other amendments included Prohibition on the use of yellow phosphorous pig poison; Strengthening enforcement powers for inspectors; and Delivering on an election commitment to allow pregnancy testing of cattle by accredited laypersons.
Mr Furner thanked the more than 2,300 Queenslanders and groups who made submissions into the review of the Act.
He said further amendments would be announced shortly.
“Stakeholders will be able to provide further feedback on the proposed amendments via the Parliamentary Committee process before any amendments to the Act are made,” he said.
“The amendments demonstrate the Palaszczuk Government’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding animals from inhumane and unnecessary practices,” the Minister said.
