The Australian Federal Government has ended the month-long ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia.
Federal Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig has just announced that his Government is now comfortable that animal welfare standards can be adhered to, but there is a clause, with strict conditions on the new export permits.
“These new orders allow the export of live cattle only where animals can be managed through supply chains that meet international standards.
“These strict new conditions have been written into all export permits,” Minister Ludwig says.
“They require exporters to trace cattle from properties, onto vessels, into feedlots and into abattoirs that meet agreed international standards.
“Permits will only be issued to those exporters who can demonstrate that this will be the case.”
Minister Ludwig says the appropriate standards to apply to the trade were those contained in the World Animal Health guidelines (OIE).
“Exporters will have to collect and make public data on the consignments they take to market, including where animals are fattened, how they are transported and where they are slaughtered.
“Supply chains will be verified by commercial independent auditors with the entire process to be independently audited on a regular basis. These audit reports will be made public.
“The Government understands that producers and other businesses participating in the industry have been doing it tough.
“These reforms will provide the industry with a sustainable long term future.
“We will continue to work closely with industry to ensure the welfare of Australian cattle remains at the heart of this trade – a trade that has a strong future.”
Follow Accidentally Outback in days to come for more news on the issue.
Good the stricter controls but why not the cattle slaughtered and processed in Australia ? -- Halal slaughter is cruel and based on no logic and just because it has been done that way for hundreds of years doesn't make it right. . Why kow-tow to these religious loonies ? -- just say the meat will be slaughtered in Australia and delivered to you frozen --take it or leave it . Stand up against these nutters !