1326. Hon ALISON XAMON to the minister representing the Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I refer to the WA racehorse welfare plan and to the memorandum of understanding between Racing and Wagering Western Australia and WA-registered abattoirs and knackeries.
(1) Will the minister please table a copy of the MOU?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Does the MOU include any provisions regarding independent monitoring or inspection?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question. The following information has been provided largely by the Minister for Racing and Gaming, with some additions by me on the last question.
(1) Yes. I table the information. [See paper 4655.- Memorandum of Understanding in relation to welfare and euthanasia of Standardbred and thoroughbred horses ]
(2) Not applicable.
(3) No.
(4) WA-registered knackeries and abattoirs are regulated under the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. There is currently no registered abattoir in WA for horses and there is only one knackery in WA registered with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. In the case of a report of cruelty at an abattoir or knackery, the department’s livestock compliance unit will investigate.