This webpage outlines what stockfeed may contain, how stockfeed is labelled and what may be fed to ruminant animals and pigs.
The requirements for stockfeed in WA are contained in the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management (Agriculture Standards) Regulations 2013 (the regulations).
The regulations cover the required standards for stockfeed, labelling of stockfeed and feeding restrictions for ruminant animals and pigs.
The regulations apply to feed for all animals except cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rodents, domestic aquarium fish and aviary birds.
The regulations prescribe standards for the formulation and manufacture of stockfeed.
For example, stockfeed must not contain:
- certain substances that are prohibited in animal feed, such as certain hormones and antibiotics
- more than the maximum allowed level of a contaminant, such as lead and mercury
- a veterinary chemical unless the chemical is registered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)
- an additive unless the additive is registered by the APVMA or the APVMA has indicated the additive does not require registration.
For more information refer to the regulations or contact the department.
Stockfeed must be correctly labelled to reduce the risk of livestock being fed unsuitable feed.
It is illegal to feed any animal material, such as meat meal, to ruminant animals.
These restrictions are in place to minimise the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease) occurring in Australia. Ruminants include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, alpacas and llamas.
Feeding food scraps (also known as swill) to pigs is illegal in Australia because it could result in the introduction of devastating diseases to pigs and other animals.