Right: A live sheep transport docked at Fremantle, WA, waiting to be loaded.
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Background information
(The following information has been abbreviated from the Wikipedia entry titled 'Live export'. The full entry can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_export)
Australia is the world's largest exporter of live sheep and cattle. According to a report by Meat and Livestock Australia, 4.2 million sheep and 572,799 cattle were exported to markets in Asia, the Middle East and other countries in 2005. Most of the livestock are for meat but there is also an active trade in breeding stock, including dairy cattle.
The major market for Australian cattle is Indonesia, which takes 80 percent of annual exports. Other key markets include Israel, Malaysia, Japan, Mexico and China.[9] The major markets for Australian sheep are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan.[10] Other key markets are Bahrain, the UAE, Oman and Qatar. Australia's main market competitors are from China, South America and North Africa.
On 7 June 2011, Australia placed a temporary ban on live exports to Indonesia, following an investigation by an animal-rights group of Indonesian slaughterhouses that was relayed to the ABC and formed the basis of a subsequent Four Corners program. The public outcry following the program prompted the government to impose the temporary live export ban.
Opponents of Indonesian slaughter practices and those employed in some other nations importing livestock typically call for the adoption of humane handling practices and the general use of stunning before slaughter. There are also those who are calling for a permanent live export ban. The Australian Greens are opposed to the live export trade and have consistently placed pressure on the Australian government to outlaw the practice.
Those involved in the industry dispute the allegations of opponents of live animal export. They point to alternative investigations that indicate live export adds considerable value to both the Australian economy and the importers' economies. Additionally key indicators of animal welfare purport to show that live export has improved the herd health of the north Australian herd. It has also been claimed that mortality rates on livestock vessels sailing short-haul voyages are lower than those occurring during road transport. Mortality rates in the offshore feedlots are also said to be lower than those in Australian feedlots.
The Recommendations of the Independent Review of Australia's Livestock Export Trade (the Farmer Review
(The following is an abbreviation of the Farmer Review recommendations. The full text of the recommendations can be found at http://www.liveexports.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/2030380/independent-review-of-australias-livestock-export-trade.pdf)
Under the recommended framework, Australian exporters will need to ensure:
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;
and they conduct independent verification and performance audits of their supply chains against these new requirements.
The Standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) for the movement and slaughter of animals
(The following is abbreviated from the OIE standards. The full text of the standards can be accessed at http://www.oie.int/en/international-standard-setting/terrestrial-code/access-online/)
1. Personnel
There should be a sufficient number of personnel, who should be patient, considerate, competent and familiar with OIE recommendations
Competence may be gained through formal training and/or practical experience. This competence should be demonstrated through a current certificate from the Competent Authority or from an independent body accredited by the Competent Authority.
The management of the slaughterhouse and the Veterinary Services should ensure that slaughterhouse staff are competent and carry out their tasks in accordance with the principles of animal welfare.
2. Animal behaviour
Animals which are likely to harm each other in a group situation should not be mixed at slaughterhouses. The desire of some animals to control their personal space should be taken into account in designing facilities.
Animal handlers should use the point of balance at the animal's shoulder to move animals, adopting a position behind the point of balance to move an animal forward and in front of the point of balance to move it backward.
Smells which cause fear or other negative responses should be taken into consideration when managing animals. Sensitivity to [fear-inducing] noises should also be taken into account when handling animals.
3. General considerations
Each slaughterhouse should have a dedicated plan for animal welfare. The purpose of such plan should be to maintain a good level of animal welfare at all stages of the handling of animals until they are killed. The plan should contain standard operating procedures for each step of animal handling as to ensure that animal welfare is properly implemented based on relevant indicators. It also should include specific corrective actions in case of specific risks, like power failures or other circumstances that could negatively affect the welfare of animals.
Animals should be transported to slaughter in a way that minimises adverse animal health and welfare outcomes, and the transport should be conducted in accordance with the OIE recommendations for the transportation of animals.