Livestock exports - The Farmer Review, Redman
Author: Terry Redman
Published on: 21-October-2011
The Western Australian Government will work with industry, and other State and Federal governments towards implementing improvements in the livestock export industry following the release of a national review.
The Independent Review of Australia’s Livestock Export Trade (the Farmer Review) commissioned by the Federal Government was today released by Senator Joe Ludwig.
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said he was currently considering the 14 recommendations from the review, the Federal Government’s response to those recommendations, as well as reports from the Cattle and Sheep Industry-Government working groups.
Mr Redman welcomed the commitment by the Federal Government to support a sustainable livestock export industry.
“I’m pleased Senator Ludwig is taking a consultative approach to this very important issue, and I’m confident government and industry can reach agreement on standards and protocols that are acceptable to all stakeholders and the Australian public,” he said.
“The State Government firmly supports the live export industry, which provides a major economic contribution to the WA agrifood sector and rural communities.
“This Government and the WA industry has taken a lead role to gain the resumption of the live cattle trade with Indonesia and had key input into the new standards for cattle.”
The Minister, who recently returned from Indonesia, said he was encouraged by developments in the implementation of improved animal welfare and auditing processes in that country.
The new standards for cattle to Indonesia has been the model for the development of a new supply chain assurance framework for all Australian live exports. The Federal Government has indicated the framework will be implemented in stages with 75 per cent of trade covered by February 2012 and for all trade by the end of 2012.
“This will require a concerted and collaborative effort from all parties and close work with our trading partners - this is a shared responsibility.”
