Overview

Animals are important to Victorian communities and have a valuable role in our economy. They are part of Victorian homes, farms, sport, recreational businesses and activities, natural state, research and essential services.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations (POCTA Regulations) protect the welfare of animals in Victoria by supporting requirements set under Victoria’s primary piece of animal welfare legislation – the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act).

The new Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (POCTA) Regulations 2019 commence on 14 December 2019, replacing the previous POCTA Regulations 2008.

The Victorian Government thanks the 2468 individuals and organisations who provided a wide variety of submissions and comments on the draft POCTA Regulations 2019.

After considering feedback from all individuals and organisations, the Government made changes to some of the proposals before finalising the regulations. Details of these changes are set out in the Engagement Summary Report, Regulations Summary and the Statement of Reasons which are provided below.

The POCTA Regulations aim to protect the welfare of animals in Victoria by supporting the state’s primary animal welfare legislation to prevent or minimise harm through regulation of specific activities.

The regulations make improvements on important animal welfare issues including:

  • Animal transportation and tethering requirements
  • Confinement of animals in vehicles on hot days
  • Use of pain relief for mulesing of sheep
  • Sale and use of appropriate fruit netting to protect wildlife
  • Operational and administrative processes for rodeos
  • Scientific procedure record-keeping, the sourcing of animals, and training of Animal Ethics Committee members.

New regulations

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019

Survey

Part 1

The survey is closed.

1.a. Do you agree with the proposed regulations relating to the ‘General requirements'? Required

The 'General requirement' provisions are set out in Part 2, Division 1, Regulations 6-12.

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2.a. Do you agree with the proposed regulation relating to 'Pain relief for mulesing of sheep'? Required

The ‘Pain relief for mulesing of sheep’ provisions are set out in Part 2, Division 1, Regulation 8 (2).

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3.a. Do you agree with the proposed regulations relating to ‘Fruit Netting’? Required

The ‘Fruit netting’ provisions are set out in Part 2, Regulation 13.

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4.a. Do you agree with the proposed regulations relating to 'Electronic Devices'? Required

The ‘Electronic devices’ provisions are set out in Part 2, Division 3, Regulations 14 – 30. Proposed fees for approvals are set out in Regulation 15(5)(h).

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5.a. Do you agree with the proposed regulations relating to ‘Traps’? Required

The ‘Trap’ provisions are set out in Part 3, Divisions 1 – 12, Regulations 31 - 69. Proposed fees for approvals are set out in Regulations 40(2)(e), 53(2)(e), 61(2)(e), and 64 (2)(d)(i).

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6.a. Do you agree with the proposed regulations relating to ‘Rodeos’? Required

The ‘Rodeos’ provisions are set out in Part 4, Regulations 70 – 105. Proposed fees for rodeo licences, permits and approvals are set out in Part 6, Division 2, Regulation 150.

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7.a. Do you agree with the proposed regulations relating to ‘Scientific Procedures’? Required

The ‘Scientific Procedures’ provisions are set out in Part 5, Divisions 1 – 4, Regulations 106 – 147. - Proposed fees for licensing and audits are set out in Part 6, Division 2, Regulations 151 – 154.

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If you would like to be identified, please add your details to the submission.

Part 2 - About you and general questions

Would you describe your location as:
Which parts of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations are most important or relevant to you or your work?

Tick all that apply.

Required if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation.

Required if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation.

How did you hear about this public consultation?

Privacy Statement

The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions is committed to protecting personal information provided by you in accordance with the principles of the Victorian privacy laws.

The information you provide will be used to develop regulations required to support the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 and may be used for future animal welfare policy development.

Personal information that is collected by the Department will be used by, and disclosed to, Departmental employees or contractors whose duties require them to use it. Such employees and contractors are required to protect and handle your personal information in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and any other applicable legislation regulating the collection, use, disclosure, storage and destruction of personal information.

The information you provide will be made available to the Minister for Agriculture and the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee. This information is being collected in accordance with Section 6 of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994.

You may contact us to request access to your personal information, or for other concerns regarding the privacy of your personal information at animal.welfare@agriculture.vic.gov.au

For the Department’s full privacy statement visit http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/privacy

The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.