Nine experts have been selected for the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) to provide strategic and specialist advice on animal welfare and related issues in Victoria.
The AWAC is a non-statutory ministerial advisory committee that is appointed by the Minister for Agriculture.
Following a recent competitive recruitment process, 6 new members have been appointed and 3 members have been reappointed. The committee will serve a 3-year term.
Agriculture Victoria Executive Director of Regulatory Policy and Programs and Animal Welfare Victoria Trevor Pisciotta said animal welfare continues to be a priority for the government.
‘This committee will play a pivotal role in advising the minister and government on current and future animal welfare priorities.
‘The newly appointed committee has a great mix of veterinarians, animal scientists and animal advocacy leaders who have a huge breadth of experience in animal welfare, animal husbandry, research, regulation, biosecurity, animal behaviour and agricultural production,’ Dr Pisciotta said.
‘Current priorities include delivering modern fit-for-purpose animal welfare laws and starting research and consultation to develop regulations for new national poultry standards and guidelines,’ he added.
The newly appointed AWAC members are:
- Dr Timothy Dyke – Chairperson since February 2024
- Dr Russell Harrison – Deputy Chairperson and new appointee
- Dr Catherine Ainsworth – reappointed
- Dr Elizabeth Walker – reappointed
- Dr Hugh Millar – new appointee
- Dr Joel Huang – new appointee
- Dr Lauren Hemsworth – new appointee
- Dr Peta Taylor – new appointee
- Dr Ron Glanville – new appointee
- Dr Sally Sherwen – reappointed
