Zz Introduction to Legislation, Standards and Frameworks of Importance to Veterinary Technologists Introduction - the law Statute Law: . Legislation that has passed through Parliament. · Terms 'statute' and 'legislation' used interchangeably. · Animal industry and veterinary specific legislation . Also healthcare and small business legislation Acts: "Animal Care and Protection Act 2001" · Legislation passed by parliament . Sets out broad legal policy principles (the framework). · Designed to last long term, not often reviewed. Regulation: "Animal Care and Protection Regulation 2012" · 'Subsidiary legislation' . Guidelines that dictate how the provisions of the act are applied (including exceptions, variations). · Reviewed more regularly. Codes of Practice: "Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 2013" · Practical guides to achieve standards required under specific Acts and Regulations · May be compulsory or voluntary. Standards: · Mandatory legal requirements Guidelines: · Best practice voluntary recommendations Animals as Property · Animals are legally categorised as property in Australia, requiring a special type of property/duty of care. · People can buy, sell and give away animals. · People are responsible for damages or injury caused by animals . People can ultimately make decisions for what care an animal receives from a veterinarian. Tensions and Change
· Scientific, philosophical and cultural views about what animals have, and are, changing. . Early international movements to move away from classifying animals as 'objects'. · Legislation in Australia was changing - ACT was the first jurisdiction to recognise animal sentience (2009). What is 'sentience'. " The ability to perceive or feel things'. · Capacity to experience feelings (suffering, pain, fear, boredom, frustration, contentment etc). · Ability to learn from experience and other animals, assess risk and benefits, make choices These abilities rely on an awareness of their world and ability to remember processes and assess information to meet their needs. Five Freedoms. 1. Freedom from hunger and thirst. 2. Freedom from discomfort. 3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease. 4. Freedom from fear and distress. 5. Freedom to express normal behaviour. First widely accepted framework to capture key aspects of animal welfare. · Brambell 1965 - UK parliamentary enquiry into intensive livestock production systems. · FAWC 1979 - '5 freedoms' · Part of RSPCA Australia policy since 1993. Mellor & Reid (1994) updated 5 freedoms - argued that merely minimising/resolving negative physical or mental states does not result in positive welfare. PHYSICAL/FUNCTIONAL DOMAINS · Animals must have the opportunity to have positive experiences also (anticipation, satisfaction). · Means of evaluating welfare of individuals or groups in a particular situation, with focus on mental wellbeing and positive experiences. 1. Nutrition Water deprivation Food deprivation Malnutrition 2. Environment Physical and atmospheric challenge 3. Health Disease, injury and functional impairment 5. Mental Domain Thirst, hunger, anxiety, fear, pain, distress WELFARE STATE 4. Behaviour Beharioural and'or interactive movement restrictions Regulation of Animal Welfare in Australia State and territory governments are responsible for their own animal production and welfare laws.
. Model Codes of Practice for