Advisory Committee Terms of Reference

The Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership (LTAWP), announced on 12 May 2009, is an enhanced three year partnership with Australian producers and livestock exporters with funding of $3.2 million, over the next 3 years (2009-10 to 2011-12), for technical cooperation activities principally focussed on infrastructure improvements, training and education to help to strengthen animal welfare and support trade. LTAWP activities are directed at countries that import Australia’s live animals – either at present or in the future.

The LTAWP Project Advisory Committee’s Terms of Reference (ToR) are as follows:

Purpose

The committee is established by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) at the request of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The purpose of the committee is to recommend to the minister projects for funding under the LTAWP, and to contribute to the strategic direction of the LTAWP.

The committee is a non-statutory advisory committee established for an initial term ending 30 June 2012, or earlier at the minister’s discretion. Members may include representatives from the Australian, state and territory governments, live animal export industry stakeholders, and others with appropriate expertise in animal welfare and/or live export matters. In carrying out its tasks, the committee will take into account the requirements necessary to satisfy the government’s legal and legislative responsibilities.

Aims

The committee aims to ensure that projects funded under the LTAWP:

• are in line with Australia’s commitment to improve handling, transportation and slaughter
  
• practices in countries importing Australian livestock
  
• meet the requirements outlined in the Program Guidelines
  (available at: http://www.daff.gov.au/market-access-trade/iac/live-animal-trade).

Call for applications

The committee will consider project proposals provided the proposal and candidate meet the requirements outlined in program guidelines. The method for seeking project proposals will be a matter for the committee to decide.

Expected deliverables

The committee will:

- Assess project proposals that are suitable for LTAWP funding provided they meet the program guidelines.

- Prioritise projects to achieve optimal utilisation of resources.

- Assess project proposals and, on a consensus basis, make recommendations to the minister.

- Put in place steps to ensure that projects contain appropriate management frameworks and milestones against which progress can be measured and payments made.

- Ensure that key initiatives and areas of focus identified by the department and the Australian livestock export industry are understood and taken into consideration.

- Provide advice to shape the strategic direction of the LTAWP as requested by the minister.

- Provide advice on other matters relating to the LTAWP as requested by the minister.

Scope and limitations

The scope of the committee will be limited to the assessment and recommendation of proposed projects under the LTAWP, providing advice to shape the strategic direction of the LTAWP, and other matters at the minister’s discretion.

Expected lifespan

The committee will continue until 30 June 2012, or may cease earlier at the minister’s discretion.

Secretariat support

The Trade and Market Access Division of DAFF will provide secretariat support to the committee.

Membership of the committee

Committee members will be appointed by the minister. Each member serves at the discretion of the minister. Membership is attached to the individual rather than their positions. Membership will include three representatives from DAFF, three representatives from the live animal export industry and one independent member.

Industry member inclusion on the committee reflects the co-funding arrangement (50:50) between government and the live animal export industry.

If a vacancy or vacancies arise, or certain members are not available for a particular meeting, the committee may continue to fulfil its role provided there is a quorum of four members - provided both the alternating committee chairs are available as part of the quorum.

For all members other than the independent member, membership of the committee is voluntary and members will not be reimbursed for any costs associated with their participation.

Meeting arrangements

The committee will function through use of email and teleconferences out-of-session, and meet in person as necessary.

The role of committee chair will alternate between a representative from the department and from industry. With the agreement of members, other government officials, industry representatives or relevant experts may be invited to attend meetings as advisers or observers and may contribute to discussion.

Public communication

The committee’s ToR and membership will be published on the DAFF website.