Livestock Collective Regulation | October 6, 2023 | Farm Online
Watch this video to learn more about the regulations the supply chain must adhere to throughout the exporting process.
Video credit: The Livestock Collective.
Video credit: The Livestock Collective.
Transcript
00:00 Australia first started exporting livestock via sea back in 1829.
00:05 From its earliest days, the live export industry has delivered high quality animals to foreign
00:10 markets around the world to meet consumer demand for protein, genetics and dairy products.
00:16 Therefore, the industry has continually improved the conditions of transport and it is highly
00:21 regulated to meet these conditions and the growing community expectations.
00:26 Now, Australia has one of the highest standards of animal welfare in the world.
00:31 So, how does it work?
00:33 The Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock sets out the animal health and welfare
00:37 standards that the supply chain must adhere to throughout the exporting process.
00:43 Our strict animal welfare requirements start on farms and extend to quarantine facilities
00:48 where animals are individually inspected and only those fit for travel will be selected
00:53 for export.
00:55 Livestock are then loaded onto ships by trained stock people.
00:59 The number of animals counted into each pen is based on their size and weight to ensure
01:03 they have enough room to move around and lie down.
01:07 The voyage length varies depending on the port of loading and the end destination.
01:12 Experienced stock handlers monitor livestock 24/7, ensuring they have access to food and
01:18 water.
01:19 Many animals even put on weight during their journey.
01:22 Once livestock arrive, Australian exporters continue to monitor their welfare, even when
01:27 they have changed ownership.
01:29 This is an Australian Government regulatory framework called the Exporter Supply Chain
01:33 Assurance System.
01:34 So, why do we export live animals?
01:38 Australia exports live animals as well as chilled and frozen meat products.
01:42 These products are often complementary to meet demands from various countries seeking
01:46 food security.
01:48 And many countries face their own production challenges, like climate and geographical
01:52 conditions which limit their ability to sustain their own breeding flocks.
01:56 The export of live animals on ships helps make food more affordable for many families,
02:02 as it increases their access to dairy and meat products.
02:05 The export of live animals is a complex system with so many factors to consider.
02:10 At home in Australia, the industry provides approximately 13,000 jobs across the livestock
02:15 export supply chain, many of which are in rural and remote areas.
02:20 Of the more than 100 countries exporting livestock, Australia is the only country that regulates
02:26 animal welfare to the point of processing in overseas countries.
02:30 If you want to learn more about the animal export industry in Australia, head to our
02:34 website and join the conversation today.