By Ryan Reynolds 

An independent horse welfare initiative backed by some of the biggest names in the industry has received federal support.

In a boost to the Independent Working Group, chaired by Dr Denis Napthine, Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud announced he endorsed the taskforce and promised to make federal resources available to them.

And Littleproud also promised to encourage state and territory agriculture ministers to support the initiative when he attends the AgMin Forum next week.

Getting state and territory support, as well as federal backing, will be crucial for the IWG if it makes recommendations that might require changes to the law.

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and the Australian Trainers' Association, as well as other key stakeholders including champion trainer Chris Waller, are all behind establishing the IWG which will review the current welfare landscape in Australia, look to world's best practice, consult with participants in the industry, and draw upon the learnings from other animal industries.

The other panelists joining Dr Napthine are RSPCA Australia chief science and strategy officer Dr Bidda Jones, Australian Veterinary Association director Ken Jacobs and Jack Lake, a senior advisor on agriculture in the Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and Kevin Rudd Governments.

The working group had its first telephone meeting on Thursday, with initial discussions positive.

Minister Littleproud said Australians want racing to 'uphold high welfare standards'.

"I applaud industry for taking the reins and leading from the front," Littleproud said.

"When you have Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller and David Hayes joining horse racing industry bodies to back the initiative, all governments should sit up and take notice.

"I'm also pleased to see both the RSCPA and Australian Veterinary Association will be on the taskforce and the industry is open to their input.

"The initiative will improve industry transparency and ultimately improve animal welfare.

"I want this to succeed, so I've offered to the Independent Panel the expertise of the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment.

"I welcome the leadership and cooperation of the industry working across state boundaries."

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia CEO Tom Reilly said having the initiative on the agenda at AgMin was 'really helpful and very, very positive'.

"Having the Federal Agriculture Minister's support just adds to the overwhelming backing it has received from in and out of industry," Reilly said.

"He understood completely where we were coming from and what we were doing."

While Thursday's first IWG meeting was positive, Reilly said any initial recommendations were some time away.

"I am conscious that we need to give them the time and resources to so the job properly. It would be great if we had some recommendations by end of spring, but that may or may not be possible," he said.

This article first appeared on Racing.com and is reprinted here with their kind permission. To find out more about Racing Victoria's Off the Track program, visit rv.racing.com/the-horse/off-the-track.

READ THE LATEST NEWS ARTICLES HERE