The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations provide legal guidelines for how animals in NSW can be treated, but like most anti-cruelty laws, they sadly do not prevent some of the worst widescale suffering of animals used for food or ‘entertainment’. 

That said, there was one significant change everyone expected, that is nowhere to be seen within this draft legislation…In 2023, the NSW Minister for Agriculture agreed to implement a phase-out of one of the cruellest farming devices ever invented – the battery cage. This regulatory review was a key opportunity to take the final critical step to relegate cages to the history books, as other states have now done

But there is no mention of an end date to battery cages in these draft regulations.

Other states in Australia are making progress in implementing the National Poultry Standards phase out of battery cages for egg laying hens. Why has the NSW Government not committed to doing the same? The NSW Government needs to be held accountable, which is why this opportunity to have your say is so critical.

Through our online form above, you can speak up for the animals who will be left without adequate protection from this proposed legislation. Submissions close very soon, at 11:59 pm on Thursday, 19 December 2024 so please take this urgent action now. We’ve included important notes and writing tips below.

• Please be sure to INCLUDE YOUR HOME ADDRESS in your letter so that the NSW Government considers your submission.
• Please note that all submissions are public and are published online through the Government’s website. If you do not want your name and submission published, you will need to state this in your letter.

You can head to the NSW Government’s website to read more information, including the draft regulation, Regulatory Impact Statement and privacy policy.

• Letters will be most impactful in your own words as someone who cares about animals in NSW.
• Your letter doesn’t need to be lengthy or complex, just focus on the issues that matter most to you. You may choose to write about the following issues in the draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations:
  • Hens who will still endure short lives of deprivation inside battery cages.
  • Bulls, horses and calves who will still be exploited for ‘fun’ at rodeo events.
  • Pigs and their piglets still destined to live in desolate factory farms without sunshine or fresh air. 
  • Wildlife who will become trapped and die in backyard fruit tree nets each year. 
  • All animals subjected to cruel animal farming, hunting and ‘entertainment’ practices that will continue unabated via Codes and Standards that exempt animal-abusing industries from the full force of the law. 
• You may wish to acknowledge the positive changes for animals proposed in the draft regulations, including:
  • the banning of glue traps
  • increased oversight of mutilations performed on some animals like de-barking of dogs
  • a ban on tail docking of cows and calves
  • the increased powers for inspectors to inspect farmed animals.
    
• You may wish to end your letter by thanking the government for this opportunity to provide your feedback on the draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations, as a member of the NSW community who cares deeply about protecting animals.

We understand this is a busy time of year for many, so thank you for giving your time and using your voice for animals who so desperately need and deserve this representation.