Australia's live export industry

The Australian Government supports a vibrant and growing livestock industry. The export sector is an important part of this industry—it earned $996.5 million in 2009 and it underpins the employment of around 10 000 people in rural and regional Australia.

The government recognises that the livestock export sector faces challenges and responsibilities different from those in some other export industries. The images of live sheep being treated poorly in Kuwait during the recent Eid-ul-Adha religious festival are deeply disturbing and the government shares your concerns about them.

Australian livestock exported to the Middle East for slaughter are processed through abattoirs. However, during the annual three-day Eid-ul-Adha festival, one of the largest annual Islamic celebrations, local people may transport sheep home for religious slaughter. Despite this, the vast majority of sheep are processed through abattoirs during the festival.

Being part of the international livestock export trade means Australia can help improve the way it operates—benefiting all animals involved in the trade by seeking to raise standards across the board. The government and those involved in the live export trade are continuing to work on improvements throughout the supply chain.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has an agricultural counsellor based in the Middle East who liaises with importing country governments and monitors the situation on the ground. This is a continuing process of improvement but more still needs to be done to achieve animal welfare practices that are in line with international standards. The recent footage shown on Australian television demonstrates the need for further effort.

Minister Ludwig has met with representatives from Animals Australia and the RSPCA to discuss their concerns with the live export trade. He has also met with the Australian livestock export industry and asked it to assess progress made in improving animal handling practices in importing countries and to find ways of achieving a higher standard of animal welfare in relevant countries. He has asked the industry to report to him in the first half of 2011.