Live Export Facts website launched
- By: "Farm Tender" News
- Ag Tech News
- Jul 08, 2018
- 1328 views
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This website has been produced by the National Farmers' Federation, Sheep Producers Australia and WAFarmers with the aim of sharing the facts behind Australia's livestock export industry.
Australia has been an exporter of livestock for more than 100 years. The industry has continued to expand in importance and deliver economic benefits to rural communities and the national economy.
The export of sheep from Australia began in 1960. Today, Australia is the world’s third largest sheep exporter.
The Western Australian sheep industry dominates Australia’s sheep export trade, averaging nearly 85% of sheep exported over the past five years. Annually, about 1.8 million head of sheep are exported. Australian sheep are exported to the Middle East and Asia with the largest markets in 2017, by volume and value being Qatar, Kuwait and Turkey.
There are many reasons why Australia exports sheep. These reasons have changed over time and include:
* Some countries do not produce enough livestock to feed their population and as a result they rely heavily on Australian livestock for their food security and in some cases, social harmony.
* Processing animals locally, for some nations, is often cheaper than buying boxed or chilled meat slaughtered in Australia, which is a high input cost industry compared to its global competitors.
* Religious requirements, particularly around festival times, dictate the slaughter of animals (under Australian controlled conditions where Australian animals are involved).
*International processors prefer to use not just the meat, but the entire animal for different products.
* The export of livestock supports a wide range of consumers and different market segments that live animals processed locally are most suited to (for example, wet markets).
* Exporting livestock strengthens breeding and herd numbers with quality genetics and aids many developing countries in achieving self-sustainability goals.
* Australia’s livestock exports support the development of a local processing sector in developing countries.
* Australia’s increased efforts to help improve animal welfare is recognised as contributing to wider social and ethical change, better treatment of local livestock, improved worker safety and better meat quality.
* Live export supports public policy programs to increase meat and dairy consumption and the endeavours of importing countries to provide food security.
How are we improving animal welfare?
Australia is recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health as the leading global trader for its regulatory standards and the promotion of world’s best practice. Australia's livestock export industry is underpinned by a detailed and rigorous regulatory framework. Farmers and exporters invest significantly in research, development and extension (RD&E) to drive animal welfare improvements across the entire supply chain.
The entire livestock export process (from farm to the point of slaughter) is regulated by the Australian Government under two main regulatory systems; the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) and the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance Scheme (ESCAS). Furthermore, all livestock carrying vessels must have an Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) license and comply with the provisions of Marine Order 43 of the Navigation Act.
Under the regulatory framework Australian livestock exporters and supply chain participants must comply with a range of stringent requirements that include:
Exporters must be licensed by the Australian Government.
*Livestock must be selected, prepared and cared for in compliance with legislated animal welfare standards.
* Livestock must only be prepared in Australian Government approved quarantine premises, known as registered premises.
* Skilled personnel including industry accredited stockpersons and in some cases government approved veterinarians must accompany and care for the livestock on the voyage (via sea or air).
* Livestock export vessels must hold an Australian Certificate for the Carriage of Livestock issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
Exporters must maintain control, traceability and ensure animal welfare of livestock from discharge through to the point of slaughter in the overseas market.
* Exporters must report on the outcomes of each voyage, including mortalities, which are then reported on a six monthly basis to the Australian Parliament. If mortalities exceed legislated levels, a comprehensive investigation is undertaken and conditions may be placed on future shipments to mitigate risks.
* Exporters must also provide the Australian government with an end of processing (EOP) report (within 10 days of the slaughter of the last animal within a consignment for cattle and buffalo). An exporter must also submit an independent performance audit report (IPAR). IPAR summary reports are available to the public and can be accessed here.
How does livestock export benefit Australia?
In 2016-17, Australia’s live sheep exports were valued at $250 million to our nation’s economy. Income that is crucial to the livelihoods of farming families and the many regional communities they support.
The most comprehensive economic modelling conducted by Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resources Economics and Science and the Centre for International Economics identified that livestock exports generate about 10,000 jobs across northern and western Australia.
For farms selling sheep or lambs for live export ABARES data shows that livestock export sales account for 45% of average sheep and lamb receipts in 2014. Sheep purchases by live exporters attract the second highest livestock premium, after lot feeders.
Western Australia is by far the largest exporter of sheep accounting for over 85% of all exports. In WA, sheep exports represent a much larger share of annual sheep turn-off and industry output. On average, live sheep sales account for 30-40% of total sheep turn-off.
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