Senator WILLIAMS: Okay. This has been very controversial, this issue of free-range eggs. You said on 14 November last year:

Some have expressed concern there is no government standard that producers need to meet to be a free-range producer. We see no need for any standard …

You were reported in Melbourne on that Thursday. How do you define 'free-range eggs'?

Senator RHIANNON: Dr Richards, I also had some questions on NICNAS and animal testing. I came in when you were in the middle of some of your questions; I apologise if I am repeating any. I want to start off with some process questions, so that I can understand the situation. What information does NICNAS require companies to provide about animal tested substances in order to fulfil data requirements set out in the industrial chemicals act?

Senator RHIANNON: I understand that AMSA is responsible for monitoring flagged vessels compliant with safety and environment protection standards, including the safe carriage of livestock as cargo. Is that correct?
Mr Prosser : That is correct.
Senator RHIANNON: Under the Australian standards for the export of livestock, who is responsible for on-board ship inspections of livestock vessels in Western Australian ports?

Senator RHIANNON: With regard to Animal Health Australia's newly launched National Farm Biosecurity Technical Manual for Egg Production, in the document in section 23 on free-range production operations, page 26, it states: 'Some AI'-avian influenza-'of the H5 ... subtypes ... have in the past caused EAD outbreaks in the Australian egg industry'. I was just interested in whether you can supply details of the number of recorded cases of AI in the Australian egg industry.

CHAIR: Senator Rhiannon.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (15:57): I seek leave to make a short statement.

The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute.

Senator RHIANNON: This motion misleads the Senate and should be withdrawn. The Australian Veterinary Association and the Australian Cattle Veterinarians group have distanced themselves from suggestions that they support the live export industry. They have stated in their media release:

Commenting on the news that Racing Queensland has stood down another 23 greyhound trainers in the wake of the live baiting scandal last month, Greens Animal Welfare Spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

“The dismissal of another 23 trainers exposes the degree of animal abuse and the crisis that is gripping the greyhound industry.

“This comes after 13 Queensland greyhound trainers were stood down following a Four Corners program last month which showed footage of live baiting at Tom Noble’s unregistered training property in Churchable about 55km west of Brisbane.

 The Australian Senate has supported a Greens motion that recognises that activist gag laws would shut down scrutiny of animal cruelty.

Australian Greens animal welfare spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has welcomed the passage of the motion.

“The Senate motion highlights that if ag-gag laws were passed it would be impossible for cases of animal cruelty like the exposure of the many cases of abuse of greyhounds to occur,” Senator Rhiannon said.

Senator Rhiannon (New South Wales) (11:55): I move

That the Senate notes:

(a) the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Four Corners program, 'Making a Killing' aired on 16 February 2015, exposed the abhorrent cruelty in parts of the greyhound industry and the horrific use of terrified live animals as live bait to 'blood' greyhounds in training;

(b) the extensive work of Animals Australia, Animal Liberation Queensland, and many others on this program;

Four Corners' recent expose of extreme animal abuse in the greyhound industry was a terrible shock to many of us. The report was a result of hard work from Animals Australia and Animal Liberation Australia Queensland. Lee has joined with animal protection groups calling on state racing bodies to instigate life bans on individuals found guilty of live baiting, and for specialist government task forces to take over the regulation of the industry.