A new regulatory framework for Australia’s live export trade

  • October 24, 2011
  • Matt Paish

 

The regulation of Australia’s live export industry will be substantially reformed, following the publication of an independent review late last week.

The ‘Farmer review’ was commissioned by the Australian Government in response to broadcasts of shocking video footage of animal cruelty in Indonesia.

The regulatory changes recommended by the review will be implemented wholesale, on a domestic and international level, to ensure Australian livestock exported for slaughter are treated at or above internationally accepted animal welfare standards.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig said the report recommended implementing a supply chain assurance framework to all markets for the export of Australian livestock, as well as addressing a number of domestic welfare issues.

Minister Ludwig said “the new framework will be phased in and will be implemented in stages with 75 per cent of trade covered by February and for all trade by the end of 2012.”

Under the framework, Australian exporters will need to ensure that:

-          animals will be handled and processed at or better than the internationally accepted standards for animal welfare established by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE);

-          they have control of the movement of animals within their supply chain;

-          they can trace or account for animals through the supply chain;

-          they conduct independent verification and performance audits of their supply chains against these new requirements.

The reforms attempt to strike a balance between the concerns of the community and the needs of industry and livestock producers.

Minister Ludwig has assured the livestock industry that the reforms “will provide stability”.


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