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Each consignment of livestock exported must comply with importing country protocols. They must also meet the specific ASEL requirements before being issued with an Export Permit by the AQIS. All pre-export assembly facilities must meet established standards and be registered by AQIS. AQIS officers inspect all animals prior to loading to ensure fitness to travel. Experienced veterinarians accredited by AQIS are involved in the preparation of all animals for export. It is their responsibility to oversee and certify that livestock are prepared in accordance with requirements set out in the ASEL.
Standard 4 – Vessel Preparation and Loading outlines the process for preparing and loading livestock vessels to ensure all livestock are loaded in a manner that prevents injury and minimises stress, delivering good animal welfare outcomes. It also sets out stocking densities, provision of feed, water and veterinary supplies for the voyage.
All consignments are assessed prior to departure to determine how many animals can be exported on the ship with sufficient space to move around, access the constantly available feed and water, and lay down. Vessels are also subject to approval by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and must meet strict requirements for the carriage of livestock under Marine Order 43 including space, provision of ‘hospital pens,’ biosecurity measures and ventilation.
Standard 5 covers the onboard management of livestock from the time the first animal is loaded onto the vessel to the time the last animal is unloaded at the overseas destination.
Highly trained, accredited Australian stockmen accompany all voyages and work with a trained onboard crew to provide care for the animals and report regularly on the progress of the voyage.
In addition to the qualified Australian stockmen, AQIS accredited vets accompany livestock on all Middle East consignments to provide an extra level of care, also reporting daily to AQIS. As part of their reporting requirements, vets and stockmen advise the Australian Government on the number of livestock mortalities that occur during the voyage.
Mortality rates on all on voyages are reported to Parliament every six months and posted on the AQIS website. If rates exceed an accepted standard a full investigation by AQIS occurs. Currently, over 99 percent of all livestock arrive fit and healthy at their destination. This reporting is part of the industry’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
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MLA Case Studies