Livestock Management Legislation and Regulations

There are several pieces of legislation that govern the management of livestock. Each of the following pieces of legislation contains important regulations and guidelines about the management of livestock and their welfare in Victoria.

Legislation

The Livestock Management Act (2010) was gazetted in January 2010. The act provides the legislative framework for integrating, in a consistent manner, nationally agreed Standards relating to aspects of livestock management and for demonstrating these standards are met.

You must also be aware of these other important Acts relevant to managing livestock:

• Impounding of Livestock Act
• Livestock Disease Control Act
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act

Standards and guidelines

Nationally consistent standards and guidelines for the welfare of livestock are being developed, cooperatively by government and livestock industries, under the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS). In Victoria, these standards are being incorporated as regulations under the Livestock Management Act 2010 making them mandatory and enforceable.

Read about the standards and guidelines for the welfare of livestock

You can find further information on these other standards and guidelines:

Land Transport Standards

• Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines - Land Transport of Livestock

Land Transport Standards Information Notes

• Land Transport Standards Information Note
• Bobby Calf Transport Standards and Guidelines
• Land Transport Standards - Saleyards
• Land Transport Standards - Agents

Pig welfare Standards and Guidelines

• Introduction to pig welfare standards and guidelines
• Pig Welfare Standards and Guidelines

Systematic Risk Assessments

The LMA requires all livestock operators to comply with prescribed livestock management standards applicable to their particular livestock operation. The Act also requires livestock operators to conduct a systematic risk assessment of the prescribed livestock management standards within six months of these Standards being adopted into regulations.

• Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - (general standards SA 1 to SA 6) (WORD - 111.5 KB)
• Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Alpaca specific standards (WORD - 48.0 KB)
• Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Cattle specific standards (WORD - 51.5 KB)
• Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Deer specific standards (WORD - 48.5 KB)
• Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Emus & Ostriches (Ratites) specific standards (WORD - 49.0 KB)
• Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Goat specific standards (WORD - 43.0 KB)
• Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Horse specific standards (WORD - 59.5 KB)
• Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Poultry specific standards (WORD - 54.0 KB)
• Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Sheep specific standards (WORD - 41.5 KB)
• Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Pig specific standards (WORD - 49.0 KB)
• Sample Template for the Pig Welfare Standards (WORD - 104.0 KB)

Examples of Risk Assessments

• Example Land Transport Standards - Dairy Farmer (WORD - 45.5 KB)
• Example Land Transport Standards - Commercial Carrier (WORD - 47.0 KB)
• Example Risk Assessment for Pig Welfare Standards (WORD - 101.5 KB)

Approved Compliance Arrangements

The LMA minimises regulatory burden by providing a co-regulatory mechanism to recognise existing government and industry compliance arrangements (e.g. quality assurance (QA) programs) that operate to achieve high standards for livestock management; and that demonstrate compliance and monitoring of the prescribed standards.

Find the:

• Approved compliance arrangement guidelines
• Application for approved compliance arrangement
• Land Transport Standards checklist for approved compliance arrangements
• Pig Welfare Standards checklist for approved compliance arrangements