Red meat and animal wellbeing

How the red meat industry delivers animal wellbeing?

Australian farmers care about their animals and want to ensure they are pain-free and stress-free. By complying with Australia’s animal welfare standards and by developing and introducing innovative ways to phase out old practices like dehorning, we make sure sheep, cattle and goats are able to live the good life.

Animal wellbeing insights

Keen to learn more about red meat and animal welfare? Simply choose a topic of interest from the drop-down menu.

Pain management

Discover how the red meat industry is ensuring animals enjoy a good life with minimal pain and stress.

Providing pain relief

Keeping animals pain-free is a fundamental priority for the Australian red meat industry.

Red meat and mulesing

The Australian wool and sheep meat industry is working towards phasing out mulesing by finding new ways to spare sheep the agony caused by flystrike.

Humane treatment

For the Australian red meat industry, treating livestock humanely is critical to our sustainability...and the right thing to do.

Humane treatment of animals

For the Australian red meat industry, treating livestock humanely is critical.

On-farm practices

Australian farmers are committed to the humane treatment of animals in their care.

Husbandry

Animal husbandry practices in Australia are designed with the health, wellbeing and safety of animals in mind.

Breeding polled livestock

Breeding polled (hornless) livestock is a key focus for the Australian red meat industry to eliminate the need for dehorning or disbudding.

Live export practices

The Australian livestock export industry works with export markets to raise animal welfare standards right through the supply chain.

The role of feedlots

Almost 4% of Australian cattle are in feedlots at any given time, with their wellbeing a priority for this highly-regulated industry.

Meat processing and animal welfare

Australian livestock are humanely processed to meet strict animal welfare standards and an industry certification system.

Red meat and transport

The transportation of livestock in Australia is tightly regulated to ensure livestock arrive without stress or injury.

Standards and guidelines

Australia has stringent animal welfare standards and guidelines. Protecting animal wellbeing is a legal requirement.

Five domains of animal welfare

The Australian livestock industry is committed to the Five Domains of Animal Welfare.

Antibiotics

The Australian red meat industry uses antibiotics responsibly to keep cattle, sheep and goats healthy.

Red meat animal welfare standards

The red meat industry has stringent animal welfare standards, and aims to be recognised as world leaders in animal health, welfare and production practices.

Hormone use and livestock

Naturally occurring and synthetic hormones are used in cattle to optimise weight gain. They are safe for animals and people.

Meet the Maddens

Barb Madden explains why the health and welfare of their animals is the Smithfield Cattle Company’s top priority.

Frequently asked questions

How are cattle, sheep and goats treated on farms?

Australian farmers work hard to give their livestock the best care possible, and follow best-practice guidelines designed to protect the welfare and wellbeing of animals.

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How are livestock treated when being transported

The transportation of livestock is a tightly regulated process in Australia. Everyone involved in the care and management of transported livestock is focused on ensuring that each animal arrives in good condition, free of stress and injury.

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How are animals treated when exported live?

Animal wellbeing is critical during live exports and the industry has made big improvements in this area. To ensure the best possible treatment, 26 animal-welfare indicators are measured onboard livestock export vessels. These cover nutrition, environment, health, behaviour and mental state.

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How are Australian animals treated on feedlots?

Feedlots are purpose-built facilities where livestock are provided with a balanced grain-based diet to help them reach their quality potential. All aspects of their welfare are planned and monitored by trained staff in this highly regulated industry.

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How are livestock treated during processing?

In line with its mission to ensure that high standards of animal welfare are implemented, maintained and verified, the meat processing industry has proactively developed its own animal welfare standards and certification system to ensure animal wellbeing is its top priority.

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What pain relief is available for farm animals?

Keeping animals pain-free is a fundamental priority for the Australian red meat industry. Standards and guidelines are in place to support the use of pain relief in unavoidable aversive procedures. The beef industry aspires to 100% use of pain relief for these procedures by 2030. Pain relief products available in Australia for sheep, cattle and goats include fast-acting/short-lasting local anesthetics and slow-acting but longer lasting analgesics.

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