For information, ABC Lateline are expected to run a story tonight or tomorrow night on animal cruelty associated with the leakage of Australian livestock in several middle eastern markets. I have no doubt that the footage shown will show gross mishandling, treatment and slaughter of livestock whether of Australian origin or not. I have said it before and will say it again that it beggars belief in this day and age that we still see such treatment of animals even those destined for slaughter. Such cruelty is so unnecessary and it causes us all to stop and consider the pain and suffering caused to the animals in question. Where knowledge ends, violence begins but we need the violence to end as well. Australia is not the worlds animal welfare policeman and at some point in time local authorities in these countries and the OIE more generally have to step up to the plate and start to be responsible on there own turf for animal welfare. Australia can at least show a pathway for improvement including through our cooperation with the OIE and provision of our training expertise and our R&D. In relation to the Lateline story, ALEC was contacted for comment on the issues of leakage from approved supply chains and the following information was provided. Leakage from approved supply chains remains the greatest challenge for industry in meeting its responsibilities for exported livestock. It has largely stemmed from the strong demand for healthy Australian livestock that have been reduced in number due to the imposition of ESCAS. While ESCAS has significantly assisted in improving welfare of Australian exported livestock, it as come with consequences, including the denial of supply of Australian livestock to many legitimate small local businesses in destination markets - particularly in the middle east - that had previously relied on trading Australian livestock for their living. Such action has in some instances created a black market for Australian livestock which we are actively working to curb. Exporters have not sanctioned or approved leakage from supply chains but under ESCAS are responsible for such non-compliances. Where non-compliances are found the Department of Agriculture has taken action against exporters including adding additional conditions to shipments and curtailing supply chains. Exporters themselves have removed facilities from supply chains that have failed to meet the exacting standards of ESCAS - this includes failing to secure livestock within approved facilities. While the relative number of livestock that have leaked from supply chains is relatively small against the millions of animals that have been exported into approved supply chains where handling and slaughter is done by trained personnel with appropriate knowledge and oversight of humane handling and slaughter procedures, it is the outcome of the leakage from approved systems that is often most severe and upsetting and reminds us why Australia has moved to establish welfare assurance along supply chains in overseas markets. In the absence of oversight and the training and support that comes with approved supply chains, livestock will most likely face poor treatment, handling and slaughter by people unskilled and untrained to undertake the task. In this regard, the manner in which some people treat livestock so cruelly and cause unnecessary pain and suffering, regardless of the origin of the animals, remains inexcusable, even in the absence of proper training and knowledge of appropriate handling. Such brutal treatment has no place in the livestock trade and is perpetrated by individuals outside of Australian supply chains that are not approved to handle or slaughter Australian livestock. It remains shocking for all to see and necessitates urgent action by local authorities and the OIE to immediately improve the welfare of livestock globally. Industry recognises that the leakage of Australian livestock from approved supply chains which leads to poor handling and slaughter reflects poorly on our industry and causes members of the public to question our commitment to animal welfare. We still remain the only live export country with a welfare assurance system that places the exporter as responsible for livestock through to the point of slaughter. While ESCAS is at times imperfect, in the main it is working and we are striving to root out those elements that undermine the effectiveness of the system.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 05:03:47 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015