Most Australia Live Exports Arrive Healthy
AUSTRALIA - LiveCorp and Meat & Livestock Australia have released the 2008 national livestock export industry shipboard performance report, confirming that over 99 per cent of all livestock exported in 2008 arrived fit and healthy at their destination.
29 June 2009
2 minute read
The report summarises the performance of the livestock export industry in terms of mortality levels of sheep, cattle and goats exported by sea from Australia during 2008, and provides a breakdown by species and major destinations.
“Our industry is committed to transparency – we want the people of Australia to see how we’re doing in terms of animal welfare and the good outcomes we’re continuing to deliver for Australian livestock,” said LiveCorp CEO Cameron Hall.
“We’re investing in ongoing improvements in Australia, onboard vessels and in overseas marketplaces and we’re really making a difference.
“Australian stockmen on board all voyages, with accredited Australian vets on all vessels to the Middle East, monitor and care for the livestock along with a crew who also ensures all animals are well fed, watered and in good condition.
“The pens the animals travel in provide enough room for all livestock to move around, lie down and access the constantly available food and water. Any animal that is sick or injured is placed into a hospital pen and given extra care.
“Animal welfare is a priority for our industry – and we are renowned as being the best in the world at what we do. That’s something to be proud of.”
Key Outcomes
The overall mortality rate for sheep during sea transport to all destinations during 2008 was 0.84 per cent out of approximately 4.2 million sheep exported (99.16 per cent success rate). This was an improvement on the 0.97 per cent mortality rate observed in 2007.
The overall mortality rate among the 0.86 million cattle exported from Australia in 2008 was 0.12 per cent (99.88 per cent success rate). This was slightly higher than the 0.10 per cent mortality rate observed in 2007. The overall mortality rate on voyages to the Middle East/North Africa was 0.29 per cent in 2008, a rise from 0.19 per cent in 2007.
The overall mortality rate among the 3,118 goats exported by sea from Australia in 2008 was 0.51 per cent (99.49 per cent success rate), which was an improvement on the 0.69 per cent observed in 2007. All goats exported by sea during 2008 went to South-East Asia.
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