1 Are the breeches of any sheep on the property modified by mulesing or liquid nitrogen?

2 Have any lambs born on the property been breech modification in the last 12 months, or have any mulesed (or AA) sheep been brought onto the property in the last 12 months?

3 What methods/s of breech modification have been used on the property?

4 Is appropriate pain relief used during any breech modification activities?

5 What form of appropriate pain relief is used? (multiple options can be selected)

1.1.1 A comprehensive assessment of potential environmental risks resulting from operations, including strategies to avoid or mitigate negative impacts, has been completed for the property.

1.1.2 A documented fire and flood risk management plan for the property has been completed.

1.2.1 A relevant person is allocated responsibility for overseeing chemical use.

1.2.2 The person responsible for overseeing chemical use has completed a Farm Chemical Users course within the past five years.

1.2.3 An inventory of farm chemicals stored on-farm is maintained, including a minimum of; product name, quantity, batch number, and expiry or manufacture dates.

1.2.4 All chemicals used on-farm for crop, pasture and livestock treatments are stored securely according to label/manufacturer directions.

1.2.5 Fertilisers and pesticides are only applied in accordance with APVMA registrations and label/manufacturer's directions.

1.2.6 All chemicals are disposed of as required by law, and in accordance with label/manufacturer's directions.

1.3.1 Soil testing is undertaken to identify any remedial actions required to manage soil health and fertility.

1.3.2 Action is taken when necessary to manage soil health and fertility.

1.3.3 Sustainable land use is supported by calculating carrying capacity of grazing areas to inform stocking rate management.

1.3.4 Ground cover is monitored, and remedial actions are taken to ensure there is sufficient ground cover to prevent soil erosion, maintain soil carbon, and encourage pasture persistence and productivity.

1.4.1 All activities undertaken on the property comply with relevant state and National legislation regarding natural resource management.

1.4.2 Flora is monitored and managed to ensure diversity of species, and number of plants appropriate to the region, land type and enterprise.

1.4.3 Potential adverse effects on ecological communities are assessed, avoided, remedied and mitigated.

1.4.4 Invasive species are managed to minimise their impacts on biodiversity, soil, native plants and animals, and productivity.

1.4.5 All development activities on the property are done in accordance with local, State and National regulations, with required consent from local/regional relevant authorities.

1.5.1 Strategies are implemented that support healthy waterways and protect them from erosion.

1.5.2 Water use efficiency is optimised by implementing practices that increase soil water capture and storage, and the ability for plants to extract water from soil.

1.6.1 A carbon calculator has been used to estimate net emissions from the property.

1.6.2 Opportunities to minimise Green House Gas emissions intensity are assessed for implementation.

2.1.1 All staff responsible for handling livestock have and apply the skills to work with animals according to National Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines and state animal welfare regulations.

2.1.2 Shearing related injuries to sheep are recorded and treated appropriately.

2.1.3 Animal health treatments are administered by trained and competent personnel according to product label and/or advice from a veterinarian, and relevant legal requirements.

2.1.4 Livestock are prevented from accessing dangerous or potentially contaminated sites.

2.2.1 Health treatments programs are implemented to mitigate instances of disease and infection.

2.2.2 Effective treatments for health issues are administered as early as possible.

2.2.3 Disease and mortality records are maintained.

2.2.4 Cases of unexpectedly high disease and mortality incidents are investigated, and preventative measures are implemented where necessary.

2.2.5 Declared pest animals that prey on livestock, are managed in accordance with National guidelines and state and territory regulations.

2.3.1 Sheep are provided with food and water of a quality and quantity to meet their physiological needs and maintain good health.

2.3.2 Sheep have access to shelter and shade.

2.3.3 Sheep are able to exhibit normal, healthy behaviours.

2.3.4 Containment feeding facilities, where needed, are designed, constructed, and competently operated in accordance with the guidelines contained in the Australian Animal Welfare Standards.

2.3.5 Are sheep shedded or individually penned?

2.3.6 Are sheep held in close confinement (such as in a race or single pen) for extended periods of time?

2.3.7 Relevant personnel are competent in breeding ewe management, and sheep body condition score assessments.

2.3.8 Practices are implemented to optimise reproductive efficiency, minimise reproductive losses, and ewe, lamb and weaner mortality.

2.3.9 Working dogs are appropriately trained, controlled, muzzled where necessary, and well-treated according to National Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines and state animal welfare regulations.

2.3.10 Breech modification is only done for the purpose of managing flystrike risk.

2.3.11 If breech modification practices to reduce fly strike risk are applied, they are done according to relevant state animal welfare legislation and National Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines.

2.3.12 If breech modification practices to reduce flystrike risk are applied, they are accompanied by appropriate pain relief according to label instructions and/or veterinarian advice.

2.3.13 Tail docking and castration activities are conducted at no later than 12 weeks of age.

2.3.14 Tail docking is done at the third or fourth palpable joint, ensuring that the healed tail is long enough to cover the vulva in ewe lambs, or the equivalent length in male lambs.

2.3.15 Castration is only conducted using a rubber ring, unless advised otherwise by a veterinarian.

2.3.16 Dehorning, disbudding and substantial horn trimming is conducted by competent operators, according to National Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines and relevant state animal welfare regulations, for animal welfare purposes only.

2.3.17 Ear marking or branding is only done for identification purposes in accordance with current legislation and best practice.

2.4.1 Livestock destruction is carried out in such a way that causes rapid loss of consciousness and minimises pain and distress to the animal.

2.4.2 All reasonable efforts have been made to minimise the risk of stress and potential injury to sheep during handling and transport.

2.4.3 Transport service providers are only selected where they meet applicable transport safety standards for the loading, unloading and transport of stock.

2.4.4 Ramps and forcing pens used for livestock transportation are compliant with AS 5340:2020 Livestock loading/unloading ramps and forcing pens.

3.1.1 The Operator is compliant with relevant National guidelines and state legislation for Work Health and Safety.

3.1.2 A Work Health & Safety plan for the property is implemented and reviewed.

3.1.3 All personnel receive an induction for each site on the property.

3.1.4 Relevant personnel have completed first aid training.

3.1.5 All personnel are able to access regularly maintained first aid resources.

3.1.6 Staff are supported to access physical and mental healthcare services, initiatives and programs.

3.1.7 Facilities, infrastructure, equipment, and machinery are regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they are safe for all people and animals.

3.2.1 Personnel are competent in the skills required for them to fulfil their responsibilities.

3.2.2 Personnel receive training in the use of farm machinery and equipment.

3.2.3 Personnel are provided with opportunities for work-related development or hands-on experiences to upskill.

3.2.4 Performance reviews for all staff are conducted at least annually.

3.2.5 Relevant personnel are involved in meetings to discuss strategic goals for the business, and alignment of personal goals.

3.3.1 The Operator is compliant with relevant State and National employment legislation, including award wages & conditions, for all members of the business.

3.3.2 Staff accrue leave in line with State and National employment legislation, and are provided opportunities to take leave.

3.3.3 Relevant National and state and territory anti-discrimination laws and regulations are complied with.

3.3.4 Diversity is supported within the workplace.

4.1.1 Relevant personnel are encouraged and provided opportunities to share their skills and knowledge, and learn from others, both within the business and externally.

4.1.2 Relevant personnel are given the opportunity to participate in training and mentoring initiatives if they want to.

4.2.1 The Operator and/or other relevant personnel actively assesses current industry research and development, and how they might be able to implement it into the business to improve productivity or efficiencies.

4.2.2 Relevant personnel engage with industry relevant extension and adoption activities to apply practical outcomes from research, development and innovations on-farm.

4.2.3 Relevant personnel engage with an industry group for R&D, extension or advocacy reasons.

4.3.1 The Operator is compliant with local, State and National biosecurity requirements on the property.

4.3.2 A documented biosecurity plan for each property addresses the management and recording of movement of stock, people, equipment, and vehicles entering the property, and the prevention and control of animal diseases on farm.

4.3.3 Activities are prioritised that protect the property and livestock from endemic and emergency animal disease incursions, and prevent them from spreading to other properties.

4.3.4 Relevant personnel engage with endemic animal disease activities, and comply with local, state and National emergency animal disease response initiatives.

4.4.1 The Operator and other responsible members of the business agree to adhering to the AWSS Code of Conduct, to represent AWSS and the Australian Wool Industry with integrity and respect

5.1.1 Merino sheep are crutched within three months prior to shearing to mitigate Dark Medullated Fiber Risk (DMFR) risk.

5.1.2 The shearing shed has adequate amenities, lighting and ventilation, and has well-maintained shearing machinery to optimise wool classing.

5.1.3 The shearing shed is inspected prior to shearing for potential contaminants, and wool harvesting staff are briefed to help minimise contaminants in the wool clip.

5.1.4 Staff involved in handling wool are aware of their responsibilities for preparing wool before shearing.

5.1.5 Shearers are briefed before commencing on their responsibilities to support quality clip preparation.

5.1.6 Livestock are taken off feed and water prior to shearing, according to industry standards for the class of stock, and what has been agreed between the Operator and contractor.

5.1.7 If sheep have come in contact with shedding breeds, wool is correctly prepared and described according to the Code of Practice for the preparation of Australian wool clips.

5.1.8 A registered wool classer will prepare AWSS certified bales/lines according to the Code of Practice for the preparation of Australian wool clips.

5.1.9 Marking substances, where used, have been used in accordance with manufacturer instructions, declared in WoolClip, and removed from the lines where possible.

5.1.10 Unused nylon ePacks that comply with AWEX standards will be used to package all AWSS certified wool offered for sale.

5.2.1 The property where livestock are kept has a registered Property Identification Code (PIC).

5.2.2 All livestock are tagged with a National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) approved visual or electronic ear tag, aligned with relevant state and National regulations.

5.2.3 All livestock movements onto the PIC are recorded in the NLIS Database and are accompanied by a National Vendor Declarations (NVDs).

5.2.4 All livestock consigned off the PIC are accompanied by a National Vendor Declaration.

5.2.5 Wool harvesting does not occur within treatment withholding periods after the use of animal health treatments.

5.2.6 All fodder and supplements introduced onto the property are documented and accompanied by a Commodity Vendor Declaration (CVD).

5.2.7 The Operator has their own WoolClip Farm Account, matching business and PIC information.

5.2.8 The National Wool Declaration (NWD) will be completed in WoolClip for all lines offered for sale.

5.2.9 A record of all bales is recorded at shearing in WoolClip

5.2.10 ePack QR codes are scanned into WoolClip to record eBale ID.

5.2.11 Registered Wool Classer number recorded in WoolClip.