National horse traceability working group
Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (16:54): (1893) My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Racing, and the action I seek is for the minister to ensure the national horse traceability working group remains focused on horse welfare. The national horse traceability working group was established after it was exposed just how many horses, particularly ex-racehorses, were being sent to slaughterhouses and knackeries across the country. It was a secret that the racing industry had long tried to hide. The working group, tasked with establishing recommendations on how we can better trace animals across all sections of the equine community, is a national project. However, Victoria is one of the leading states in the reform. While the terms of reference for the working group state that the working group is focused on animal welfare, my office has been contacted with concerns that the main focus is now biosecurity—not the protection of animals. Animal advocacy groups were hopeful this working group upon its completion would result in less horses being sent to slaughter and not on how disease can be prevented in the event that they are. Real and meaningful change could come from a horse traceability system. We cannot let the opportunity go to waste. The working group must be refocused to make recommendations on animal welfare, and I hope that the minister will make this request.