Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig today announced four new projects to further improve animal welfare for live exports and to support trade in overseas markets.
The projects are a product of the Australian Government’s commitment to improving animal welfare under the Australian Government’s Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership (LTAWP). This partnership between government and the live export industry is funded through a co-contribution arrangement to improve animal welfare outcomes in countries receiving Australian livestock.
Minister Ludwig said improving the welfare of animals arriving overseas will support a sustainable and profitable live export trade.
“Australia’s international leadership in animal welfare allows us to influence conditions for animals in overseas markets,” Minister Ludwig said.
“Australia’s expertise in the livestock export trade and commitment to best practice mean we can meet community expectations for animal welfare while still supporting jobs in regional Australia.”
The Australian Government and livestock exporters and producers will invest a total of nearly $1.1 million in the projects to improve animal welfare in the Middle East and South-East Asia, which are Australia’s major live export markets.
The partnership will continue to fund improvements in post-arrival animal welfare by upgrading animal handling infrastructure and providing training to those involved in animal handling and transport in Indonesia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
“The Gillard Government is committed to strengthening partnerships with industry in many sectors, to build trust, share knowledge and to make improvements to achieve the outcomes we need,” Minister Ludwig said.
Funding will also support the Regional Animal Welfare Strategy in which Australia is playing a leading role in South East Asia to promote, adopt and implement international animal welfare standards.
These projects were recommended for funding by the LTAWP’s Project Advisory Committee, comprising of representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the live animal export industry and an independent member.
More information on the LTAWP is available at www.daff.gov.au.
Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership
2010-11 projects, by recipient:
Meat and Livestock Australia
The purpose of the project is to improve animal welfare at the point of slaughter for Australian livestock in Indonesia. The project will aim to upgrade and maintain abattoir infrastructure in Indonesia, complemented by training programs for local staff on best-practice handling and slaughter techniques for cattle.
Meat and Livestock Australia
The purpose of the project is to improve animal welfare at the point of slaughter for Australian livestock in the Middle East and North Africa. The project will aim to improve cattle and sheep handling practices and point of slaughter infrastructure in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, complemented by training programs for local staff on best-practice handling and slaughter techniques for cattle and sheep, and to conduct a stunning trial.
G & B Stainless
The purpose of the project is to improve animal welfare at the point of slaughter in Jordan. The project will aim to improve post-arrival welfare for cattle and sheep by upgrading abattoir infrastructure at the Irbid slaughterhouse in Jordan, together with training for local staff on best-practice handling and slaughter techniques.
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The purpose of the project is to support the implementation of the Regional Animal Welfare Strategy in Asia, the Far East and Oceania. The project will support the RAWS plan by: providing the secretariat for the RAWS Coordination Group; hosting their annual face to face meeting; and delivering an animal handling training course on best-practice animal handling techniques in the region.
