AUSTRALIAN livestock exporters have welcomed confirmation today the Federal Government will conduct a formal review of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL).
ASEL governs the handling of animals in Australia’s livestock export supply chain from selection on-farm through pre-export preparation, quarantine and transport to the point of discharge in the importing country.
Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council CEO Simon Westaway said the ASEL review process would include the establishment of a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).
“That Committee will ultimately provide recommendations to the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR), as part of a process which ALEC believes will provide outcome-based standards, backed by sound scientific evidence,” Mr Westaway said.
“ALEC has previously called for a formal review of ASEL and we endorse the approach being undertaken.”
The TAC will comprise an independent chair, two animal health and welfare experts, a person with an expert knowledge of the livestock export industry, and a regulatory expert. The TAC is supported by an ASEL Reference Group, comprising representative bodies with a direct interest in the livestock export industry, including animal welfare organisations, the production sector and veterinary profession.
“ALEC has encouraged this review of our $2 billion industry because livestock exporters wants ASEL to remain relevant, which in turn promotes a sustainable and growing livestock export trade,” Mr Westaway said.
“Our industry knows the importance of incorporating the latest evidence-based science and new technology into the high standards governing our trade, to ensure the regulatory framework governing the live trade is up-to-date and aligned with world’s best livestock welfare practices.”
-ALEC
