Tuesday, 13 May 2025

Sheep dipping

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:20): (896) My question is for the Minister for Agriculture in the other place. Sheep dipping, also known as plunge or cage dipping, is a little-known farming practice where sheep are herded onto an inescapable lowering platform and fully submerged in a formulated solution to prevent parasites. Sheep dipping can result in asphyxiation or suffocation from sheep getting trapped or overwhelmed in the dip solution, and unlike other jurisdictions, you do not need a licence to dip sheep in Victoria and only a voluntary code of practice exists. Will the minister implement a licensing scheme to better monitor and regulate this cruel practice in Victoria?

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:21): I thank Ms Purcell for her question. This is a question for the Minister for Agriculture, and I will refer that matter to Minister Spence.

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:21): Thank you, Minister, for referring that on. Like many other agricultural practices, sheep dipping is designed with economics, not welfare, at the forefront, allowing for more sheep to be treated in the fastest time possible despite them not being able to swim or hold their breath for long periods. There are equally, if not more, effective alternatives, such as injecting sheep with ivermectin or other injectables, but they are rarely utilised, as it requires treating individual sheep rather than as a group. Will the minister take the opportunity to end sheep dipping in the new Animal Care and Protection Bill, which this government promised nine years ago but have allowed to languish on a desk, and replace it with these humane alternatives?

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:22): Again, I thank the member for the question, and again, it will be referred to the Minister for Agriculture in the other place.