The department is using the findings of this review to engage with industry to continue to enhance the welfare of cattle in this supply chain.
The Federal Department of Agriculture has completed its review of heat and cold stress in Bos taurus cattle from southern Australia during long-haul export by sea.
The review examined the data from 214 long-haul voyages from southern Australia over 5 years from January 2016 to December 2020, exporting more than 1 million cattle.
The review found the regulatory settings for the export of Bos taurus cattle by sea are effective in managing animal welfare.
While animal welfare issues were identified in some voyage reports examined in the review, changes to standards (such as stocking density decreases and new bedding requirements) introduced under the revised Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock on November 1, 2020 have addressed many of these.
The review provides evidence-based recommendations for improvements to export arrangements to support animal welfare during preparation and transport of Bos taurus cattle consignments from southern Australian ports during long-haul export by sea.
The final report incorporated input from a technical expert group and stakeholder feedback received during public consultation on the draft report in late 2021.
In submissions received on the draft report, industry and welfare groups supported the key recommendation of the review: that a suitable heat stress risk assessment should be applied all year round for southern-sourced Bos taurus slaughter cattle to all destinations.
The department is using the findings of this review to engage with industry to continue to enhance the welfare of cattle in this supply chain.
The work undertaken for this review included:
- voyage data analysis
- an epidemiological analysis
- IO voyage report analysis
- review of Bureau of Meteorology data
- a literature review
- engagement with stakeholders in targeted stakeholder meetings and public consultation
- working with an independent technical expert group.
A draft report, setting out key findings and recommendations, was released for public consultation from 29 October 2021 to 3 December 2021. Eleven submissions were received, and all submissions were considered in detail in finalising the review. Submissions, where permission to publish was provided, can be viewed on the Have Your Say webpage.
The review found the regulatory settings for the export of Bos taurus cattle by sea are effective in managing animal welfare.
The review does not recommend changes to the current regulatory requirements. While animal welfare issues were identified in some voyage reports examined in the review, changes to standards (such as stocking density decreases and new bedding requirements) introduced under the revised ASEL on 1 November 2020 have addressed many of these.
The final report is available at agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/export/controlled-goods/live-animals/animal-welfare/livestock-welfare-reviews/bos-taurus-review
-ABARES