Animal welfare groups who’ve been calling for a total ban of live animal exports say they’re disappointed with the outcomes of the Farmer Review into live export.
The RSPCA and Animals Australia say the review - which has made 14 recommendations to improve the welfare and tracking standards of Australia animals overseas – has failed to address the necessity of stunning animals unconscious prior to slaughter. In response to the review, the Federal Government says it will work to increase the use of stunning in live export markets by: raising the inclusion of stunning in the OIE guidelines through the formal OIE process; promoting the use of stunning; pursuing bilateral agreements which include stunning; implementing voluntary codes of conduct; and funding animal welfare improvements.
But RSPCA Australia CEO Heather Neil says the Government needs to make it clear to the export industries that if they don’t announce targets for stunning, by country, and act themselves, they will make it a requirement.
“The fact that the number of Australian cattle that will be stunned in Indonesia is expected to grow from 8% to around 90% in just six months shows that it’s entirely possible to overcome any perceived barriers when the incentive is there and that markets can respond quickly if the supply of Australian animals depends on it.
Animals Australia Executive Director Glenys Oogjes says the Farmer Review’s failure to recommend mandatory stunning was a missed opportunity to put in place a basic yet critical protection for Australian animals, plus improve standards for all animals in importing countries.
"Much of the suffering documented in Indonesia and indeed by Animals Australia in other live export markets, is the result of un-stunned slaughter. To not even include stunning in a recommendation ignores the elephant in the room and is completely at odds with the wishes of not only the Australian community but with Australian cattle and sheep producers. "
Animals Australia says the second critical omission of the review was its failure to address the obvious conflict of interest faced by veterinarians on board live export vessels - despite evidence of bullying and of vets who report negative findings being ostracised by the industry.
"The onboard veterinarian is the only government representative on the ship. The fact that they are chosen by the exporter and paid by the exporter is a clear conflict of interest which fails to give vets the independence and security they require to fulfil their duties. That this obvious failure in the system was not addressed is totally unacceptable and will continue to result in inaccurate reporting.”
Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie says he’ll continue his push for a Private Member’s Bill to legislate animal welfare standards in the live export industry including mandatory stunning of animals before slaughter.
“My hope that the Government would show a greater interest in animal welfare and public opinion was misplaced. I now look forward to the Parliamentary debate on my Bill, which I’m confident has the support of millions of Australians,” he says.
