Who can make a submission?

    Anyone can make a written submission on ‘acts of veterinary medicine’. Comments received will assist in drafting the regulations.

    Veterinarians, veterinary nurses and other animal health service providers, and consumers of veterinary services in Western Australia are particularly encouraged to submit their views.  

    What should my submission include?

    To make a submission, complete the online submission form located on this engagement website . Please ensure you read the ‘acts of veterinary medicine’ Consultation Paper before submitting your feedback. 

    If you have any difficulties with your submission or further questions, please use the Q&A area on this engagement website. 

    What should my submission include?

    Your submission can include any comments relevant to what is being considered as an ‘act of veterinary medicine’.

    The online submission form provides a structure for your comments based on individual procedures proposed for inclusion, however you do not have to provide comments against all questions. 

    There is also open text questions for you to include your reasoning for each of your answers.

    Can I make a confidential submission?

    Yes, submissions may be published online after the consultation period has ended, and may also be cited in a publicly available report. Submitters who do not wish their name published, or would like their submission to remain confidential, must note this in the online submission form.

    What is spaying of cattle?

    Spaying is a husbandry procedure practiced across northern Australia to prevent unwanted breeding. The procedure provides for long term contraception of cattle which can benefit their welfare and production in circumstances where cows cannot be separated from bulls. 

    In the pastoral regions spaying enables cull cows to survive and reach a marketable body condition by preventing the stress of complications associated with pregnancy, calving and lactation.

    Why is the regulatory approach to pregnancy testing and spaying of cattle in WA changing?

    The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is conducting a targeted consultation to inform development of the Veterinary Practice Regulations, which will sit under the new Veterinary Practice Act 2021 (VPA).

    The outcome of the consultation and analysis of the feedback received will influence the development of the Veterinary Practice Regulations which is subsidiary legislation that sits under the VPA. 

    How will my submission be used?

    The submissions will be analysed and a report will be developed that recommends how pregnancy testing and spaying of cattle will be regulated in the soon to be developed Veterinary Practice Regulations. This will inform the drafting instructions for the Veterinary Practice Regulations which will then be considered by the Minister for Agriculture and Food.

    What are the next steps once the consultation closes?

    The Consultation process will close at 5pm on Friday 25 March 2022. 

    The report on this consultation will be published on the DPIRD engagement website and communicated to everyone who provided a submission to the consultation. 

    The outcome of the consultation will be included in the Drafting Instructions for the Veterinary Practice Regulations. DPIRD will keep stakeholders informed as the drafting process progresses.

    Can I access the final report?

    The report on this consultation will be published on the DPIRD engagement website and communicated to everyone who provided a submission to the consultation.

    How can I get more information?

    For more information, you can submit your questions via the Q & A function on the DPIRD engagement website.