What is being done to ensure the welfare of animals in rodeos?
On 1 September 2007 amendments made to the Animal Welfare Regulations 2000 became law. Mandatory provisions within the amended Regulations included: • Regulating those aspects of the management and conduct of rodeos which are important for animal welfare and enforcement purposes; • Prohibiting the use of animals weighing less than 200 kg in rodeos – thus prohibiting calf roping in South Australia; and • Prohibiting the use of small cattle prods, which could be easily concealed. These provisions were implemented to ensure that rodeo organisers and participants have a clear set of requirements and that inspectors under the Animal Welfare Act 1985 have enforceable provisions in the event that those requirements are not met. It is recognised that some people consider that these measures do not go far enough and others consider them to be excessive. The measures are intended to recognise the valid concerns of both sides of the debate.
