The AVA has lodged a submission to the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on proposed changes to the state’s Breeding Code, outlining key recommendations to strengthen animal welfare outcomes and improve clarity for breeders and regulators.
In its submission, the AVA emphasises the critical role of veterinarians in safeguarding animal health and welfare, noting that veterinary expertise should underpin regulatory settings.
The AVA included recommendations to improve the Breeding Code through clearer, more consistent definitions and more specific environmental standards for housing. It also calls for enhanced nutrition requirements, particularly for animals under four months of age, with mandatory veterinary guidance on feeding, weaning, growth monitoring and record keeping, and updated, evidence-based socialisation provisions to ensure animals receive structured, positive early-life experiences that support good behavioural development and long-term welfare.
The AVA submission can be found here.