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Be: Committed
13
PHOTO:PETERY WALTON/GETTY IMAGES
Complacency
– not an option
The Australian cattle industry can’t be complacent about
the issues that affect its live export trade, and Cattle
Council of Australia’s President Andrew Ogilvie believes
the industry needs to continually strive for the best
solutions for the welfare of its livestock.
The Cattle Council of Australia (CCA) supports an
ongoing, healthy and productive live export industry
and it is clear that we must invest to assure the best
welfare outcomes for our livestock. As beef producers
we consider the welfare of our animals to be of critical importance. A
whole-of-industry commitment to improving and assuring animal
welfare in our markets is imperative to the longevity of an industry
that brings in millions of dollars and supports thousands of farming
families and communities across Australia, particularly in the north.
Last years’ live export trade suspension impacted on many of
these families and communities in northern Australia, and the cattle
industry worked hard with the Government and key stakeholders
to deliver a system that protects the welfare of exported livestock.
Over the past 10 months Meat Livestock Australia (MLA), under
the direction of the CCA, has continued to work in-market to assist
exporters and importers deliver the new regulatory framework for
exported Australian livestock. This work has enabled industry to
resume its cattle exports through an approved and independently
audited system that meets international animal welfare standards,
while maintaining this vital market for Australian producers.
But we cannot become complacent. Instead, the industry has
to make sure that we continue to deliver increased improvements
in line with regulatory requirements and social expectations. That’s
why we at the Cattle Council are continuing our commitment to
progress stunning in overseas abattoirs as fast as possible.
In Indonesia for example, there has previously been numerous
impediments to the uptake of stunning in abattoirs; however, in
the past 10 months there has been a significant uptake in the use
of stunning – from a very low base of around 10 per cent of facilities
using stunning, we now have 77 per cent of approved abattoirs using
stunning, affecting in the order of 90 per cent of Australian cattle.
Industry is supporting the adoption of the new regulations
through the development and extension of Standard Operating
Procedures that align with the international animal health
organisation animal welfare requirements. This support includes
training, education and technical advice developed by industry and
delivered by locally-based animal welfare officers. Establishing this
new system has required significant investment by both Australian
and Indonesian industries and demonstrates the serious commitment
of exporters and importers to get the system right to ensure the right
welfare outcomes for Australian livestock.
Implementation of the new framework – to be rolled out
across all live export markets in 2012 – will provide the livestock
export industry with a long term future. As President of CCA, the
peak industry for cattle producers across the country, I believe that
the industry can be proud of the huge gains that have been made
towards animal welfare over several years, and particularly in the
last year. Our ongoing work in overseas markets is delivering better
welfare for Australian livestock and animals from other countries.
Our industry will continue to focus on animal welfare as well as
meeting food security needs of our global neighbours.
ISSUE 13