| Abstract: | Governments, industry and community groups in Australia are jointly developing a national strategy for animal welfare. This will provide for improved national approaches and help in formulating international animal welfare standards. The strategy will recognise the point that animal welfare concerns the humane use and care of animals and is of concern to the community. Animal welfare is a significant issue for the veterinary profession, as the community expects veterinarians to fill a special role in alleviating animal suffering and pain. Many expectations and concerns influence the development of animal welfare standards. Established processes provide well-defined roles for national bodies such as the Animal Welfare Committee (of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management) and the National Consultative Committee for Animal Welfare. |
