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• Live Animal Export Trade
  • Australian Position Statement on the Export of Livestock
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  • Livestock Export Standards
    • Standard 1 - Sourcing and on-farm preparation of livestock
    • Standard 2 - Land transport of livestock
    • Standard 3 - Management of livestock in registered premises
    • Standard 4 - Vessel preparation and loading
    • Standard 5 - Onboard management of livestock
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    • Further Information on Livestock Export Standards
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Elsewhere on DAFF

• Importing into Australia
• Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

Guiding principle

The sea voyage is planned and is undertaken on an appropriately provisioned vessel certified for the carriage of livestock, and the livestock are loaded in a manner that prevents injury and minimises stress.

Required outcomes

• Livestock are healthy, fit to travel and comply with importing country requirements.
  
  
• The vessel meets Australian requirements for the safe carriage of livestock.
  
  
• Sufficient personnel must be available both at loading and during the voyage to ensure that livestock husbandry and welfare needs are addressed.
  
  
• Livestock are handled and loaded in a manner that prevents injury and minimises stress.
  
  
• The travel and loading plans adequately address the health and welfare of the livestock.
  
  
• A health certificate and an export permit are issued by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).

Overview

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is responsible for the inspection of selected foreign flag ships to monitor their compliance with safety and environment protection standards, including safe carriage of livestock as cargo.

The master of the vessel is responsible for the vessel’s loading configuration and for ensuring the safety of the vessel, crew and cargo during loading.

Livestock vessels carry crew in sufficient numbers with experience in the care of animals to satisfactorily provide for their tending, feeding and watering, as well as assisting the accredited stock person(s) and/or veterinarian onboard in their responsibilities during the voyage.

The loading phase begins with the arrival of livestock at the port of loading. It ends when all of the animals have been loaded onto the vessel. Once loading has been completed in accordance with the loading plan, an export permit and health certificate will be issued.

The exporter is responsible for providing competent animal handlers to ensure that livestock are loaded in a manner that prevents injury and minimises stress, and for ensuring that suitable loading facilities are provided. The vessel owner is responsible for ensuring that the vessel is appropriately designed, constructed, equipped, maintained and certified to carry the cargo of livestock.

The exporter must ensure that stocking densities meet all legislative requirements; that there is adequate provisioning of the vessel before departure, including feed, water and veterinary supplies; and that accredited stock persons and, when required, an accredited veterinarian have been engaged.

The exporter must be able to demonstrate that the loading of the livestock at the port of loading has been conducted in accordance with the approved loading plan, any importing country requirements relating to the consignment, and relevant requirements of the Australian Government and the state or territory for loading of livestock.

These Standards are relevant to each stage of the livestock export chain and should be reflected in relevant quality assurance programs. Livestock sourced for export must meet any requirement under a law of a state or territory. State and territory governments are responsible for ensuring that these jurisdictional requirements are met under respective state and territory legislation. AQIS must be satisfied that importing country requirements and the standards have been met before issuing a health certificate and export permit.

Further details regarding roles and responsibilities and the export chain process is outlined in the Australian Position Statement on the Export of Livestock.

Linkages to other parts of the export chain

Only fit animals that comply with these Standards and importing country requirements can be transported to the port of loading for export.

Once loading begins, the master of the vessel assumes responsibility for the management and care of the livestock to the point of disembarkation. The exporter must provide details of any aspect of the preparation for export that may affect the future health and welfare of the livestock, and any relevant instructions for the care of the livestock during the voyage.

Definitions

Accredited stock person means a stock person who is accredited by LiveCorp for the shipboard husbandry of livestock.

Accredited veterinarian means a veterinarian who is accredited by AQIS to carry out duties in relation to the export of livestock.

Version 2.2 — Standard for vessel preparation and loading

Appendix 4.1  Preparation of a loading plan

1.  A suitably competent person must be appointed by the exporter to be responsible for the handling, husbandry and welfare of the livestock for export, and to ensure that loading facilities and livestock handling standards at the port are satisfactory during unloading from the land transport, inspection and loading onto the vessel.

2.  A communication plan involving all responsible parties must be established before the loading of livestock for export begins. This plan must cover:

• roles and responsibilities of the exporter or nominated representative(s), the accredited stock person, the accredited veterinarian (if required), the master of the vessel, nominated officers and crew members, and government and port authorities
• arrangements for regular meetings of key people before, during and after loading
• reporting procedures during and on completion of the voyage.

3.  Written instructions and/or standard operating procedures for the care and handling of the livestock being exported, to maintain their health and welfare during the voyage, must be prepared before departure of the vessel from an Australian port. These must address:

• the quantity and type of feed to be provided, and frequency of feeding required, for each class of livestock during the voyage
• if water is not supplied ad libitum, the quantity of water to be provided and frequency of watering required during the voyage
• pen cleaning requirements
• treatment of livestock during the voyage
• authority to humanely destroy any animal that is seriously ill or injured.

4. Loading arrangements must be made, and must take into consideration:

• port facilities, including the available water supply rate
• port and ship security
• environmental management
• labour availability and competency
• occupational health and safety.

5. A loading plan for the vessel on which the livestock for export are to be transported must be prepared and be compliant with relevant ship safety standards and must give due consideration to:

• differences in handling, holding and husbandry needs of each livestock species, number of animals, sex, class, reproductive status, weight, breed, origin, preparation and transport history
• pen layout, available pen area for the particular consignment, ventilation, vessel characteristics, port rotation, discharge sequence and stability:

– the segregation of livestock in accordance with criteria in S2.10a-e
– separation of cattle or buffalo from other species by a passageway, an empty pen or an effective impermeable barrier, to the satisfaction of an accredited stock person or accredited veterinarian
– location of livestock in relation to hatchways (there must be no location of livestock over a hatchway, unless the hatchway is protected against consequent damage and the hatchway covers are secured against movement)
– location of livestock in relation to health and welfare (there must be no penning or location of livestock on or in any part of a vessel where the livestock, livestock fittings, livestock equipment or carrying arrangements could substantially compromise livestock health and/or welfare)

• provision of clearly identified hospital pens (or stalls), constructed to the standard required for the species of livestock for which they are intended as specified in Marine Orders 43 (27), on each deck or otherwise in a manner readily accessible to livestock
• stocking densities and pen group weight range tolerances for the species in accordance with the specifications in the tables below, unless a variation is approved by the relevant Australian Government agency based on an agreed heat stress risk assessment.

6. Restraint facilities and veterinary equipment, including medicines, instruments and stores sufficient for the species and number of livestock carried, must be provided on the vessel.

• The minimum restraint equipment to be carried on ships exporting feeder and slaughter cattle and/or buffalo from Australia to facilitate treatment and minimise the potential for livestock injury and stress is outlined in Table A4.1.8.
• The minimum requirements for veterinary equipment to be carried on ships exporting feeder and slaughter cattle, and/or buffalo from Australia, based on the injuries and diseases likely to occur during a normal voyage, are shown in Table A4.1.8.
• The minimum requirements for veterinary equipment to be carried on ships exporting sheep and goats from Australia, based on the injuries and diseases likely to occur during a normal voyage, are shown in Table A4.1.9.
• Appropriate equipment for the humane killing of livestock of the species to be carried must be provided.

7. A contingency plan for emergencies and interruption to loading must be prepared, including procedures for contacting the exporter in the event of an animal health or welfare emergency.

Table A4.1.1 Minimum pen area per head for cattle exported by sea - default table

^a  Pen group liveweight range: the liveweight range in each pen of cattle should not exceed the pen average plus or minus 50 kg.
^b  For cattle weighing between 200 kg and 600 kg, for weights between those shown in the table, the minimum pen area per head should be calculated by linear interpolation.
^c  Time from completion of loading in Australia until anticipated arrival at the first port of discharge overseas.
^d  For cattle weighing more than 600 kg, on voyages of 10 days or more, the minimum pen area per head is 2.13 m² plus 0.017 m² for each 5 kg above 600 kg.
^e  For cattle weighing more than 600 kg, on voyages of less than 10 days, the minimum pen area per head is 2.00 m² plus 0.014 m² for each 5 kg above 600 kg.

Table A4.1.2 Minimum pen area per head for cattle exported by sea from a port south of latitude 26 degrees south, from 1 May to 31 October

^a   For cattle weighing between 200 kg and 500 kg, for weights between those shown in the table, the minimum pen area per head should be calculated by linear interpolation.
^b   For cattle weighing more than 500 kg, the minimum pen area per head is 2.06 m² plus 0.02 m² for each 5 kg above 500 kg.

Note: For shipments that originate or load from a port south of latitude 26 degrees south and take a route that does not cross latitude 15 degrees south, stocking densities will be calculated from Table A4.1.3 regardless of the date of the voyage.

Table A4.1.3  Minimum pen area per head for cattle exported by sea from a port south of latitude 26 degrees south, from 1 November to 30 April

^a   For cattle weighing between 200 kg and 550 kg, for weights between those shown in the table, the minimum pen area per head should be calculated by linear interpolation.
^b   For cattle weighing more than 550 kg, the minimum pen area per head is 2.255 m² plus 0.02 m² for each 5 kg above 550 kg.
Note: For shipments that originate or load from a port south of latitude 26 degrees south and take a route that does not cross latitude 15 degrees south, stocking densities are to be calculated from Table A4.1.3 regardless of the date of the voyage.

Table A4.1.4 Minimum pen area per head for buffalo exported by sea 

Note: Buffalo stocking density is to be calculated according to the formula: (0.0034 x liveweight (kg)) + 0.09 m².

Table A4.1.5 Minimum pen area per head for sheep and goats exported by sea ^a

^a  For horned rams an additional 10 per cent pen space must be allocated.
    For goats with horns in excess of Standard S1.17, the goats are penned separately and an additional 10 per cent space must be allocated.
    For sheep carrying more than 25 mm of wool, an additional 10 per cent pen space must be allocated.

Note: For weights between those shown, the minimum pen area per head should be calculated by linear interpolation.

Table A4.1.6 Minimum pen area per head for farmed red or red x wapiti deer exported by sea

Note: Intermediate values should be calculated by linear interpolation.

Any variation of this space allowance must be approved by an Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) authorised officer, taking into account considerations such as breed, pregnancy status, length of voyage, ventilation and likely environmental temperatures and humidity variations.

Deer must be penned in solid walled pens with an adequate number of ventilation holes and 250–300 mm at top and bottom.

Deer must be loaded onto the ship through raceways with solid walls, such as plywood, preferably at least two (2) metres high. Any variation from this requirement must be approved by an AQIS authorised officer, taking into account considerations such as breed, class and number of deer to be loaded.

Table A4.1.7 Minimum pen area per head for camels exported by sea

Note: An acceptable stocking density will meet the current camel industry standard. The area is arrived using the formula: area required (m²) = 0.00385 x average weight (kg).

Where a range of different animal sizes and types are to be carried, the area must be calculated for each line rather than on the basis of average weight of the entire shipment.

When camels are loaded onto a ship, the clearance between the hump and the deck of the ship must be at least 50 mm, at entrances it can be 0 mm if there are no sharp protrusions.

When loading camels, gateways and hatches may be the same opening height as the resting camel’s hump height, provided there are no sharp edges. Deck clearance on board ship should be 50 mm above resting hump height.

Pens approved for the carriage of cattle are suitable for camels with two further considerations. First, a suitable bedding material must be supplied. Second, where there is deemed to be a risk of leg injury, the rails must be covered with mesh or plywood kickboards to a height of one (1) metre. The opening in the rails for feed and water troughs must be at least 450 mm but not exceeding 500 mm.

Camels of different size and sex are to be penned separately. Camels are to be segregated from other species by an empty pen, passageway or another effective, approved barrier.

Table A4.1.8 Minimum restraint and veterinary equipment - slaughter or feeder cattle or buffalo

Additional drugs and equipment may be necessary if there are other classes of cattle or buffalo in the consignment (eg mastitis treatment and obstetrical supplies for pregnant cows, scour treatments for calves).

*The following antibiotics can be used for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease:

• Florfenicol
• Tilmicosin
• Tulathromycin
• Cetiofur
• Tylosin

Table A4.1.9 Minimum veterinary equipment - sheep and goats ^a

^a Drugs and equipment per 10 000 animals unless otherwise noted.

Additional drugs and equipment may be necessary if there are other classes of sheep and/or goats in the consignment (eg obstetrical supplies for pregnant animals).

Appendix 4.2  Shipboard ration specifications and provisioning

General

The shipboard ration must not contain more than thirty (30) per cent by weight of wheat, barley or corn, unless the livestock have been adapted to the ration over a period of at least two (2) weeks before export.

All pelleted feed must be accompanied by a manufacturer’s declaration that states it is manufactured in accordance with national pellet standards.

All feed from a previous voyage that is suitable for livestock consumption may remain in a feed storage tank provided that:

• each tank is completely emptied at least once in every ninety (90) days
• all feed that is no longer suitable for livestock consumption is emptied in its entirety before further feed is loaded
• records are maintained of the emptying of feed storage tanks and are made available for inspection.

Sheep and goats

Pellets used as the shipboard ration must conform to the nutritional specifications outlined in Table A4.2.1.

At the time of departure, there must be sufficient feed and water on the ship to meet the anticipated needs of the sheep and goats during the voyage, plus an additional twenty five (25) per cent or three (3) days feed and water, whichever is less.

Feed and water allowances must be as follows:

• for young sheep and goats (up to and including four (4) permanent incisor teeth), at least three (3) per cent of liveweight of feed per head per day
• for sheep and goats with more than four (4) permanent incisor teeth, at least two (2) per cent of liveweight of feed per head per day
• for sheep and goats, at least four (4) litres of water per head per day, except for days when the ambient temperature is expected to exceed 35°C, when allowance must be made for at least six (6) litres of water per head per day

Allowance may be made for fresh water produced on the ship while at sea.

Table A4.2.1 Pellet specifications for sheep and goats

^a As a percentage of dry matter

Cattle and buffalo

There must be sufficient water on the ship to meet the anticipated needs of the cattle and buffalo during the voyage, plus an additional three (3) days water.

There must be sufficient feed on the ship to meet the anticipated needs of the cattle and buffalo during the voyage, plus an additional twenty (20) per cent or three (3) days feed, whichever is less.
When calculating feed and water requirements, allowance must be made:

a)  for at least the quantity of feed shown in Table A4.2.2
b)  for at least twelve (12) per cent of liveweight of water per head per day:

– This water allowance may be reduced to at least ten (10) per cent of liveweight per head per day if water consumption on the ship for each of the previous three (3) voyages averaged less than ten (10) per cent of liveweight per head per day.
– Allowance may be made for fresh water produced on the ship while at sea.

c)  Fodder for cattle exported from an Australian port south of latitude 26 degrees south must include at least one (1) per cent of the required feed as chaff and/or hay.

Table A4.2.2 Feed specifications for cattle and buffalo

Deer

Deer must be fed no less than maintenance rations. Two (2) per cent of liveweight per head per day as good quality hay or its equivalent will usually achieve maintenance rations.

Where concentrates are fed, the concentrates should be included at a ratio of 1:4 with the roughage.

Sufficient feed must be loaded on the ship to meet maintenance requirements for the duration of the voyage, plus:

• an extra two (2) days for voyages up to and including twenty (20) days
• an extra three (3) days for voyages between twenty one (21) and thirty (30) days.

Feed requirements should be calculated on the basis of daily requirements of metabolisable energy (ME) in Tables A4.2.3 and A4.2.4.

Table A4.2.3 Seasonal nutritional requirements for mature deer

^a Metabolisable energy (ME), measured in megajoules (MJ) produced in fermentation of food, is the digestible energy of the food provided, less the energy lost in the production of methane and urine (16–20 per cent total).

Note: This assumes that diets containing 14–16 per cent crude protein are adequate for maintenance.

Table A4.2.4 Seasonal nutritional requirements for maintenance and growth of red deer from weaning till slaughter

Notes: Seasonal maintenance requirements are affected by the weather, and so may be lower when temperatures are warmer than normal and higher when temperatures are lower than normal.

Add extra energy for gain to the maintenance requirement to get total requirement.

Camelids

There must be sufficient water on the ship to meet the anticipated needs of the camelids during the voyage, plus an additional three (3) days water.

There must be sufficient feed on the ship to meet the anticipated needs of the animals during the voyage, plus an additional twenty (20) per cent or three (3) days feed, whichever is less.

When calculating feed and water requirements allowance must be made:

• for at least the quantity of feed shown in Table A4.2.5
• for at least twelve (12) per cent of liveweight of water per head per day:

– This water allowance may be reduced to at least ten (10) per cent of liveweight per head per day if water consumption on the ship for each of the previous three (3) voyages averaged less than ten (10) per cent of liveweight per head per day.
– Allowance may be made for fresh water produced on the ship while at sea.

Table A4.2.5 Feed specifications for camelids

Table A4.2.6 Pellet/cude specifications for camelids

^a As a percentage of dry matter

Appendix 4.3 Provision of bedding

Cattle and buffalo

Cattle and buffalo exported on voyages of ten (10) days or more must be provided with sawdust, rice hulls or similar material to be used exclusively for bedding at a rate of at least seven (7) tonnes or twenty five (25) cubic metres for every 1000 square metres of cattle pen space.

This does not apply to cattle and buffalo loaded from Brisbane or a port north of latitude 26 degrees south and exported to Southeast Asia or Japan.

Deer

Bedding, such as straw, shavings or sawdust, must be provided on all voyages and must be spread at a rate of at least seven (7) tonnes or twenty five (25) cubic metres for every 1000 square metres of deer pen space before animals are loaded.

Camelids

Bedding, such as straw, shavings or sawdust, must be provided on all voyages and must be spread at a rate of at least seven (7) tonnes or twenty five (25) cubic metres for every 1000 square metres of camelid pen space before animals are loaded.

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