Teaching animal welfare in NSW schools Sally Bannerman NSW Schools Animal Welfare Officer

1. Teaching animal welfare in NSW schools Sally Bannerman NSW Schools Animal Welfare Officer

2. What is animal welfare? … animal welfare is a complex issue. Science and ethics are both essential. Science provides the body of evidence about animals that is used for moral and ethical judgements about their welfare. At the same time, decisions about animal welfare are influenced by cultural, social, economic and occupational health and safety considerations.

3. Science of animal welfare Knowledge and understanding of physical and behavioural requirements of each species.

4. An example - Cattle • Ruminants – diet • Bos taurus vs Bos indicus – heat & tick tolerance, behavioural characteristics • Pests/diseases/environment • Vision panoramic, 330˚C • Flight zones • Grazing/ruminating.

5. Another example - Poultry • Monogastrics • Food gathering by scratching • Preyed on by other species • Pecking order • Dust bathing • Nesting.

6. Legislative framework In relation to the use of animals, schools in NSW, comply with the Animal Research Act (1985), the Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes and a range of other pieces of legislation.

7. Animal welfare in schools Cross sectoral support: • NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) • Catholic Education Commission (CEC) • Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AIS) • Jointly fund the work of animal welfare support in schools including the Schools Animal Welfare Officer and the Schools Animal Care and Ethics Committee (SACEC).

8. Schools Animal Care and Ethics Committee (SACEC) Composition is determined by the Animal Research Act. SACEC is made up of; • 2 animal welfare representatives • 2 veterinarians • 2 teachers • 2 independent members • 1 BOS officer • 1 representative of each school sector.

9. School visits SACEC is required by the legislation to monitor the use of animals in schools. Members of the SACEC make visits to schools each year. These visits focus on: • Educational justification for keeping animals at the school • Facilities where the animals are kept • Animal care records.

10. NSW schools • Approximately 3 500 schools in NSW may use animals for teaching and research purposes • DET, AIS and CEC schools are accredited through their organisations • Each school must be issued with an Animal Research Authority every year by the SACEC • Each school must have an Animal Welfare Liaison Officer.

11. Animal Research Regulation • Animal Research Regulation sets out specific conditions in relation to the use of animals in schools • The SACEC, in consultation with the ARRP, prepares a list of approved activities that link each procedure with an appropriate educational objective • These approved activities are classified into categories according to the level of impact on the animal

21. Cat

23. Animal Research Authority The Animal Research Authority permits; • Student participation for activities in categories 1-3 • Teacher demonstration only, for activities in category 4 • Student participation for collection, observation and release of tadpoles (frogs).

24. Activities outside of the Authority Written approval from the SACEC must be sought prior to: • Students carrying out category 4 or 5 activities (Application forms 1 & 2) • Teachers demonstrating category 5 activities (Application form 4) • Teachers or students carrying out any activity that is not on the approved list (Application forms 1 & 2).

25. Teacher wishing to keep native animal(s) for educational purposes (Application form 3) • Teacher wishing to house production animals intensively (Application form 5).

27. Interprets the legislation Describes the roles and responsibilities of all personnel associated with animal usage Provides a list of approved activities and their categories Provides information about issues that commonly arise Provides species notes for those animal species that are considered suitable for use in schools and are commonly used for teaching and demonstration. Animals in schools: Animal welfare guidelines for teachers (2001)

28. Animals in schools web sitewww.schools.nsw.edu.au/animalsinschools

29. Animals in education • CD ROM based training package • Self assessment exercise that allows the teacher to gain certification • Sections designed for primary teachers and secondary teachers.

30. Animals in schools poster and brochure • Targets primary schools • Promotes awareness and discussion about the care and responsibility for animals • Informs both students and teachers

31. Teaching resources

32. Schools Animal Welfare Officer Full-time officer support teachers through: • Phone calls and email advice • Visiting schools to speak at staff meetings and professional development days • Investigating complaints • Providing advice to other directorates of the DET, the CEC and independent school principals • Liaising with the Board of Studies, DPI, DEC, DLG, Ministry for Police, RSPCA and Animal Welfare League • Correspondence • Managing the work of the SACEC • Developing resources • Carrying out inspections.

33. Schools Animal Care and Ethics Committee • Meets six times a year • Considers applications for category 4/5 activities and scientific licence approvals • Inspects approximately 16 schools each year • Provides advice to the school sectors • Investigates complaints.

34. Additional resources • Temple Grandin’s web page http://www.grandin.com/ • Tocal College http://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/publications • Veterinary Education and Information Network (Vein) http://vip.vetsci.usyd.edu.au/pages/index.php?Page=Animal+Welfare+Essays • CSIRO publishing http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/22/sid/11.htm

35. NSW Department of Primary Industries http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/animal-welfare/general/other/livestock/sophttp://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock • Australian Animal Welfare Strategy • http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/welfare/aaws

36. Record keeping Good animal care records should document the following: • Date and source of acquisition of animals • Date and method of disposal of animals • Breeding records • Date, name and dose of any chemical used, e.g. drenches, vaccines • Date and brief description of any abnormal behaviour, injury or illness of any animal • Date and type of treatment provided for any animal • Any act of vandalism, dog attack or outbreak of disease that affects the health of the school animals.

37. Sally Bannerman Schools Animal Welfare Officer Private Bag 3 RYDE NSW 2112 (02) 9886 7426 sally.bannerman@det.nsw.edu.au