Rodeos in Tasmania to follow animal welfare guidelines

Posted Thursday, October 19, 2006

Rodeo Tasmania has made a commitment to follow commonsense guidelines about animal welfare including having a veterinarian present at all events.

Veterinarians are welcoming the move, with Australian Veterinary Association past president Dr Matt Makin saying that that Rodeo Tasmania is to be commended for working with the AVA and other stakeholders to agree to improved standards of animal welfare.

"Rodeo Tasmania understand that the community will not tolerate scenes of animal suffering, and are leading the way in adopting standards set down by the National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare (NCCAW).

"Rodeo organisations across all states and territories that do not have similar standards should be under no illusions that events where animals are left to suffer without veterinary attention are in danger of being banned."

Under the animal cruelty legislation being revised in Tasmania, veterinarians must be present at events, and a range of practices such as the riding of sheep and small calves have been outlawed. Veterinarians will also have the final say about welfare and care of animals, including whether or not facilities are safe for the continuation of events.

"The AVA expects that rodeos should only be permitted where there is relevant legislative control to ensure the welfare of animals involved, and where there is an enforceable code of practice," Dr Makin said.