Cattle Australia Chair David Foote visited WA and the Port of Fremantle last week to join with the Sheep Producers Australia Chair and CEO, representatives from Australian Veterinary Association, Senator Slade Brockman, Livestock Collective board and executives, University of Queensland Veterinary students and WA Farmers Livestock President to view the loading of around 9,000 cattle and 24,000 sheep destined for Israel and Jordan on the LSL chartered vessel.
Since David last loaded a boat in WA waters while based in Esperance, he noted the substantive improvements in animal quality, animal presentation, pen density, modern feed and water systems, deck ventilation infrastructure, onboard protocols, supply chain management, delivery and onboard protocols.
He noted this particular consignment of feeder Cattle were a high-value add-on to the principal sheep order, a market opportunity that would be severely impacted if the current live sheep trade to these markets were disrupted.
In addition to the port visit, CA met with long-standing Live Exporters Emmanuel and KLT and finished the WA visit with a meeting with WA Farmers’ executive staff and livestock commodity group members at their Perth office.
-CA