I have received some strongly worded emails from constituents about Australia’s live export trade and I share those concerns about the welfare of animals exported from Australia.

I am aware of how upsetting certain images and media reports have been in recent times.

It will always be my position that livestock exports are an important, ongoing trade for our country.

The trade contributes to the food security of millions of people across the world and our leadership in the trade has provided a significant opportunity to positively influence animal welfare conditions in importing countries, and continues to do so.

Earlier this year the Department of Agriculture released its review of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) which identified that the Australian Government, the industry, as well as importing countries, all share a strong commitment to animal welfare. The review showed that since the introduction of ESCAS Australia has exported eight million head of livestock to 18 countries with only 22 incidents of animal welfare concern.

The review also indicated that more than 99% of Australian animals that were exported were treated humanely and in accordance with standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

This comes on the back of the provision of training under ESCAS by the livestock industry to more than 7,000 people working in supply chains in Asia and the Middle East, including managers and animal welfare officers, who help improve animal handling and husbandry techniques and increase the use of stunning equipment.

I understand and share the concerns about recent allegations that livestock were removed from approved supply chains in a number of markets during Eid Al Adha celebrations this year. It is therefore important to note that the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is already investigating these allegations, the outcomes of which will be published on the department’s website when completed.  In the past, the department has removed entire supply chains (for example, in Gaza) as well as removing facilities from individual supply chains (such as feedlots in Vietnam, Jordan and Israel) in response to breaches of ESCAS.

ESCAS has continued to drive welfare improvements during Eid Al Adha celebrations this year despite assertions by animal welfare groups that the ESCAS system is a failure.

As a result of Australia’s world-leading practices, animal welfare outcomes have improved not only for Australian exported livestock but also domestic livestock and those sourced from other countries.

Despite this we are constantly striving for improvement and therefore the government will continue to work with industry to change the way we regulate the trade to improve animal welfare outcomes.

October 2015