Senate Supports Live Export Trade

AUSTRALIA - The Australian Senate has rejected calls to ban the live export trade and has set out a number of recommendations for the government to improve the welfare of Australian animals.
calendar icon 24 November 2011
clock icon 2 minute read

The Senate inquiry into the live export trade began earlier this year, after footage of Australian animals being mistreated in Indonesian abattoirs caused the industry to shut down temporarily.

The report which was three months late in production after three extensions rejects the concept of closing the trade but rather suggests more work can be done in order to produce better animal welfare outcomes.

To accomplish this greater resources are required and the report recommends that the Government together with industry review current resourcing arrangements.

Amongst the recommendations is one which says Meat and Livestock Australia and Livecorp must ensure that performance standards are developed in accordance with relevant legislation and international animal welfare standards, for cattle slaughtered abroad and the use of the restraint box - Mark 4.

Compensation

The report advises the Government enters discussions with the industry and other ancillary businesses to provide assistance for producers who suffered irrecoverable financial costs as a result of the temporary suspension of live cattle exports to Indonesia.

The committee also recommends that the Government establishes a dialogue with financial institutions with regard to the financial difficulties faced by producers and businesses involved in the live export industry as a result of the temporary suspension of live cattle exports to Indonesia.

As well as this the Government should encourage financial institutions to adopt a supportive approach to the repayment of loans.

West Australia Farmers Meat Section President, Jeff Murray, said the recommendations were a positive move for the industry after a difficult year following the mid-year suspension of the live export trade.

“A component of the Government’s response must be to outline its investment strategy to fund the implementation of all recommendations,” Mr Murray said.

“WAFarmers is particularly looking forward to the Government outlining its plans for fulfilling recommendations eight and nine, in relation to compensation and financial assistance to producers and supporting businesses that were adversely affected by the live export suspension.”

Not all committee members agreed with the main report.

The Greens and independent senator Nick Xenophon handed down dissenting reports, saying their bills to end the trade should be passed.

Further Reading

- You can view the full Senate report by clicking here.

Further Reading

- Go to our previous news item on this story by clicking here.

TheCattleSite News Desk

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