A new publication, 'Improved animal welfare standards for the Western Australian saleyards industry', has been released by the WA Government to allow the industry to better communicate a code of practice in saleyards.

The WA Meat Industry Authority has worked with industry to develop the improved standards, which will see best practice animal welfare management implemented in saleyards.

The standards provide a vital link for quality assurance between saleyards, livestock transport and processing sectors, he said.

Faced with increasing community concerns about animal welfare, some markets and customers of the livestock industries now require suppliers to provide information about animal welfare and management practices.

The standards cover animal welfare requirements as they pertain to planning and contingencies, facilities and equipment, staff competency and training, management of livestock and humane destruction within the industry.

One example where the improved standards will be particularly valuable is in the provision of water to livestock.

"This standard will ensure that livestock, which may already have been transported significant distances, in excess of 36 hours, have access to water in the saleyards," Mr Chance said.