AUSTRALIAN livestock exporters have renewed their focus on continuing to develop world-leading supply chain systems and maintaining global competitiveness at the industry’s annual national conference, LIVEXforum, held in Canberra.
The event, jointly hosted by the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council and LiveCorp, provided a timely forum for debate around regulation, accountability and profitability.
ALEC CEO Simon Westaway said the conference confirmed that the livestock export industry was well placed to meet the wide range of economic, social and political issues facing the sector, both now and in the longer-term future.
“There’s absolutely no room for complacency in the live trade. Exporters know they need to be on the front foot in terms of retaining existing supply chains and developing new markets,” Mr Westaway said.
“LIVEXforum has left us with little doubt that the challenges around market access, regulation, profitability and supply chain integrity are dynamic and ongoing.
“But whatever challenges we face, Australia continues to play the leading role in the global livestock export trade. We back ourselves in the provision of a product and service which is without peer across any of the other 100-plus livestock exporting countries around the world.”
Mr Westaway also thanked the many guest presenters and panellists who participated in the broad-reaching conference discussion.
Special guests included Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Luke Hartsuyker and shadow agriculture minister, Hon Joel Fitzgibbon. Leading animal welfare researchers Professor David Mellor and Dr Teresa Collins also participated, as did RSPCA Australia CEO Heather Neil.
The conference concluded with a Gala Dinner at which $43,500 was raised for Royal Far West and Lily Mackett.
This year ALEC and LiveCorp elected to support rural charity Royal Far West and 17-year-old Lily Mackett, who sustained severe injuries when she was struck by a car in Dubai earlier this year.
Lily’s father Joff is Meat & Livestock Australia’s Livestock Services Manager for the Middle East and North Africa and is a highly respected member of the livestock export industry.
LiveCorp CEO Sam Brown said that as a result of the accident, Lily requires a full-time carer, interim nursing, ongoing therapy and expensive mobility equipment.
