2009 | Australia's livestock export industry - delivering improvements in Australia and overseas

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is a producer-owned company with over 46,000 livestock producer members. It supports the entire red meat industry including livestock producers, processors, exporters, food service operators and retailers. Some of MLA’s activities include:

• Promoting Australian red meat domestically and internationally
• Working with government and industry to open up new markets abroad
• Carrying out research and development to improve industry sustainability and gain a competitive advantage for Australia’s red meat industry
• Communicating the results of MLA’s work to government and industry.

Australia is the world’s largest and most successful exporter of livestock. We are an important food source for many countries that lack the resources or geography to efficiently produce livestock to feed their people. Australia is able to meet overseas demand for live, chilled and boxed meat products. Australia exports live cattle, sheep and goats for either food production or breeding. Cultural and religious reasons mean some countries prefer to purchase live animals. Many people have a preference for fresh meat, and much like us, prefer to eat fresh meat rather than chilled or frozen products. In some cases a lack of infrastructure, such as refrigeration, means consumers need to buy fresh meat daily instead of the chilled meat that is available at supermarkets or butchers.

The livestock export industry’s focus on animal welfare is vital to ensuring Australia’s animals are well cared for and the industry meets the standards that Australian farmers, exporters and communities expect. The Australian livestock export industry is recognised as having the highest animal welfare standards in the world and is subject to strict regulatory requirements to ensure the wellbeing of Australian animals exported to overseas markets.

The industry is committed to continuous improvement in animal welfare and management through research and development, consultation and constant review of processes and standards. Stakeholders recognise that improving animal welfare is important for the growth and sustainability of the livestock export industry. The industry’s long-term survival depends on the community and Government having confidence that the trade is conducted with the highest standards of animal care.