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Dear Parliamentarian,
We are pleased to provide you with our regular Parliamentary Briefing focusing on conservation and animal
protection matters of current concern to Humane Society International (HSI) and our 65,000 supporters.
KEY WILDLIFE TRADE MEETING
Later this month a key meeting on trade in endangered species is being held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) is holding its
17th Conference of Parties. Key proposals at this meeting include greater protection for elephants, lions,
pangolins, sharks, rays and many more. HSI is urging the Australian Government to ensure that its firm
domestic position whereby for species such as elephants, lions and rhinos we have strict domestic measures
in an attempt to combat the unsustainable wildlife trade threatening these species is conveyed at this
important meeting. HSI hopes that Australia's solid record in taking action domestically on wildlife trade is
conveyed strongly at this meeting, setting an example for both this region and the world as to what is possible.
MAKING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS FIT FOR PURPOSE
HSI has a long history in working on the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999 (EPBC Act). We believe that further amendments can be made to the EPBC Act which would provide a
strong legal base for Commonwealth legal action, help enable a coordinated national approach to working
with other Governments and ensure national and international commitments are met. HSI has provided the
Government and all parties with a series of briefing papers prepared by the NSW Environmental Defenders
Office (EDO), outlining amendments we believe are necessary to the EBPC Act. We believe that these
amendments should be undertaken as interim action. More broadly, HSI, together with the Places You Love
alliance of which we are a part, is encouraging the development of next generation environmental laws. With
the EPBC Act approaching 20 years old, we believe that now is an opportune time to consider how our federal
environment laws are working and to develop best practice next generation environmental laws based on best
practice case studies internationally.
MAKING THE MOST OF THE ENVIRONMENT CHAPTER OF THE TRANS PACIFICPARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
HSI worked alongside a number of conservation and animal protection groups during the long negotiation
phases of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) to ensure the emergence of a strong and
enforceable environment chapter. We consider that the TPP is an important opportunity to address the role of
TPP countries as traders in forest products, wildlife, and living marine resources, and to support improved
global cooperation to combat illegal trafficking of wildlife. With the text of the TPP now agreed but far from
entering into force, HSI is urging the Australian Government to proceed to implement these progressive
environmental conditions domestically as soon as possible. We are also working with EDO NSW to prepare
appropriate amendments to Australian law to accurately reflect the TPP environmental obligations – which will
then be presented to government.
UN OCEANS NEGOTIATIONS
The United Nations have now begun the important process of discussing how to deal with marine biodiversity
beyond national jurisdictions, in which Australia is playing an important role. HSI has been acting as an
View Species Survival Network (SSN) Analysis of Proposals at CITES CoP17
View EDO NSW amendments to the EPBC Act
View DFAT briefing on TPP Agreement Outcomes: Environment Chapter
adviser to the Australian Government delegations at these meetings for many years now, and continues to
advocate strongly for an international mechanism to ensure that marine resources outside of national control
are adequately catered for and protected under international law.
HSI CALLS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A 'MINISTRY OF FOOD'
HSI believes there is an urgent need for the establishment of a 'Ministry of Food' within the Australian
Government. Food security is the biggest threat to future populations and there is a growing move around the
world to focus on these issues. With droughts, floods and crop failures being a part of our landscape today, the
government needs to ensure food security into the future. HSI urges government to consider the creation of a
new governing entity which can effectively manage food security for future Australians as well as animal
welfare issues under the broad banner of a 'Ministry of Food'.
The Ministry of Food would represent consumer demands, market behaviours, and regulate policy in regards
to food in general. Especially in regards to the social, environmental and economic frameworks which food
concerns fall into. Furthermore, given the current concerns over food issues, and the need for long term
strategic management of the country's food supply, such a body could provide for strengthened management
and national food policy planning. The new Ministry would include a national and Independent Office of
Animal Welfare (IOAW). HSI is preparing a policy position paper for discussion with all political parties.
HSI CALLS FOR LEGISLATION TO BAN 'MULESING' OF SHEEP
Mulesing is not commonly used in other countries, and is banned in most. Although it has become accepted as
standard practice in Australia, it carries hefty animal welfare implications and the wool industry is now being
forced to consider changing its ways. Sheep farms are now under pressure to produce wool from unmulesed
sheep as more consumers oppose the cruelty aspect. Meanwhile Australia is losing market share for not
addressing the problem.
A simple solution is available though, and it is even one which is economically beneficial to the farmer, through
careful genetic selection which can be used to breed plainbodied sheep that do not require mulesing. Not
only can they produce mulesfree plain bodied sheep, they can also eliminate the need for tail docking,
improve heat, humidity and cold tolerance, improve productivity and feed conversion efficiency, and more.
Without wrinkles, they are also easier to shear. This approach uses the Soft Rolling Skin or SRS system
developed by veterinarian and former CSIRO scientist Dr Jim Watts, and has already been adopted in
hundreds of farms across Australia, sometimes in as rapidly as just three years.
CONTACT DETAILS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
View HSI/WWF letter to Julie Bishop
View HSI's Technical Bulletin article on mulesing
Below you will find the contact details for key HSI staff working on these issues. Please call at anytime to seekinformation on the above or guidance on any environmental or animal protection problem that is of concern toyou or your constituents.
Michael Kennedy, Campaign DirectorPhone (02) 9973 1728, Fax (02) 9973 1729, Email: [email protected] Simpson, Financial Director and Animal WelfarePhone (02) 9973 1728, Fax (02) 9973 1729, Email: [email protected] Wellbelove, Senior Program ManagerPhone (02) 9973 1728, Fax (02) 9973 1729, Email: [email protected] Graham, International Adviser on Biodiversity and ClimatePhone: 0439 568 376, Email: [email protected] Quartermain, Senior Program ManagerPhone (02) 9973 1728, Fax (02) 9973 1729, Email: [email protected] Stewart, Program Manager Animal WelfarePhone (02) 9973 1728, Fax (02) 9973 1729, Email: [email protected]
For more information on Humane Society International's activitiesVisit the Humane Society International (HSI) Australia website at www.hsi.org.auFollow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/hsi_australiaVisit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HSIAustralia
Further links:Humane Society International Global: www.hsi.orgThe Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): http://www.hsus.org/Wildlife Land Trust Australia: www.wildlifelandtrust.org.auWildlife Land Trust US: http://www.wlt.org/Species Survival Network: http://ssn.org/Places You Love alliance: http://placesyoulove.org/
The HSI Parliamentary Briefing is provided to all members of the Federal House of Representatives, theSenate and press gallery.
