Poultry legislation search tool
Australia has three levels of government – national, state and local. This multi-layer system, each with their own constitutions, governments, councils and laws, creates a multi-layer set of laws governing our industry. The structure and legislative powers of each of the levels of government are set out in the Australian constitution. In addition, laws and regulations are supported by Standards and Guidelines which define the minimum standards expected to meet our legal requirements.
This site brings together Australia’s legislation and Standards and Guidelines into a single, easily searchable location, allowing the user to quickly find relevant laws in relation to biosecurity, animal welfare and food safety for the Australian Chicken Meat industry.
Commonwealth Export Control Act
View ResourceDescription
The objects of this Act are: (a) to ensure that goods that are exported: (i) meet relevant importing country requirements to enable and maintain overseas market access for goods exported from Australia;
and (ii) comply with government or industry standards or requirements relating to the goods; and (iii) are traceable and, if necessary, can be recalled; (b) to ensure the integrity of goods that are exported; (c) to ensure that trade descriptions for goods that are exported are accurate; (d) to give effect to Australia’s rights and obligations relating to goods that are exported under any international agreements to which Australia is a party.
Category Tags
Export, Food safetyCommonwealth Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act
View ResourceDescription
The Commonwealth Government, though the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWR), has responsibility for regulation of food production. This extends to both export and domestic production.
DAWR works with industry and other Australian government agencies – particularly the Department of Health and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) -in developing food regulation policy and domestic food standards. These standards are incorporated into the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The standards in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code are legislative instruments under the Legislation Act 2003.
Category Tags
Food safetyWelfare at Slaughtering Establishments Commonwealth Export Control Act
View ResourceDescription
The federal government has animal welfare responsibilities for export-accredited processing plants. Under Commonwealth legislation (i.e. the Export Control Act 2020 and subordinate legislation), export processing plants are bound to comply with their approved supply arrangement (including animal welfare standard operating procedures) which is verified and audited by commonwealth veterinarians.
Approved supply arrangements are determined by the rules and regulations enforced by the importing country with whom trade is being conducted.
Category Tags
Animal welfare, ExportFederal legislation
View ResourceDescription
Federal Legislation searchable database homepage
Category Tags
Animal welfare, Biosecurity, Export, Food safety, Land transportCommonwealth Biosecurity Act
View ResourceDescription
Biosecurity in Australia is governed and administered by two federal government departments, the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
The Biosecurity Act 2015 and related legislation is administered by the two departments. The Act aims to manage border biosecurity risks to human health, agriculture, native flora and fauna and the environment. Each state and territory has additional legislation and protocols to cover biosecurity in their jurisdiction, and must liaise with the federal government in times of national emergency.
Category Tags
BiosecurityCommonwealth Export Control (Orders) Regulations
View ResourceDescription
Category Tags
Export, Food safetyCommonwealth Export Control (Orders) Regulations
View ResourceDescription
Category Tags
Animal welfareCommonwealth Biosecurity Regulation
View ResourceDescription
Category Tags
BiosecurityAnimal Health Australia
View ResourceDescription
Animal Health Australia (AHA) is the trusted and independent national animal health body in Australia, bringing together government and industry to deliver animal health and biosecurity.
Category Tags
Animal welfare, BiosecurityCommonwealth Export Control (Poultry Meat and Poultry Meat Products) Orders
View ResourceDescription
The objectives of these Orders are (a) to ensure that poultry meat and poultry meat products exported, or for export, for food; are wholesome or are identified as requiring further processing to be fit for human consumption;
meet relevant importing country requirements; are traceable and can be recalled if required; are derived from animals that were treated humanely during slaughter; (b) that the integrity of poultry meat and poultry meat products exported, or for export, for food is assured; (c) that the trade descriptions for poultry meat and poultry meat products exported, or for export, for food are accurate.