12 May 2009
DAFF09/240B

The Rudd Government has joined Australia’s livestock export industry in an unprecedented partnership to further improve animal welfare and support trade.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said a new, expanded program, Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership, would be funded in the 2009-10 Budget to ensure the industry meets world’s best practice in animal welfare.

The program will invest $3.2 million over three years, including $1.6 million from the Government with matching support from industry.

It will support more close cooperation between Australia and key trading partners, to further improve animal welfare in those countries.

“This industry is the backbone of many rural communities and supports around 10,000 jobs in rural and regional Australia,” Mr Burke said.

“We will continue to work with producers and exporters to help protect our reputation as world leaders in animal welfare in the live export industry.

“I welcome industry’s cooperation in this program, which is a good example of government and producers working together to support Australian agriculture and trade.”

Under the program, a new Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership project advisory committee will assess projects to ensure they reflect Australia’s commitment to world’s best practice animal welfare.

The Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership builds on the Live Animal Trade Program, which has funded a range of improvements, including better infrastructure to reduce livestock stress or injury and training for feedlot and transport staff in overseas markets.