Media release
8 December 2008
Aussie sheep get the ute
Monday 8 December; Bahrain: Over 10,000 Australian sheep sold from Bahrain Feedlot Company (BLC) have been transported ‘in the ute, not the boot’ during the lead up to Eid Al Adha – the biggest feast in the Muslim calendar.
BLC and MLA/LiveCorp’s animal welfare policy ensures people purchasing livestock from the feedlot must meet strict animal handling requirements.
A team of Australian animal welfare experts, BLC staff and local stockmen have worked together to ensure correct handling of every Australian sheep during the period of private sales to families and communities. These sheep will be sacrificed in accordance with Muslim tradition and shared with families, friends and the poorer Muslim community as an act of charity.
Australian animal welfare expert and MLA/LiveCorp Livestock Services Manager, Peter Dundon said the livestock export industry’s investment in animal welfare training and education was paying off:
“Every single sheep sold from the feedlot has been properly transported. We’ve only had to turn a few people away as the majority are aware and accepting of these new requirements.
“Real change takes time, and that’s why I’m here with my team in the region, improving animal welfare each day, step by step. Our next steps will be to work with the smaller marketplaces within Bahrain that also need to adhere to the ‘no car boot policy’, and move the program into other importing countries across the region.
“We congratulate BLC for being the first to implement this important program for the correct handling of Aussie sheep during this peak festival period.”
Bahrain Livestock Company Chairman, Mr Ebrahim Mohamed Ali Zainal said: “Bahraini’s are aware Australians are concerned about the care of their sheep in the region, and the ‘no car boot’ policy is a big step forward in meeting animal welfare standards.
“There are thousands of people wanting to buy a sheep for Eid Al Adha, and while this policy has put extra pressure on our feedlot, we are proud that Bahrain Feedlot Company is showing Australians that we care for their animals.”
- ENDS -
For further information or for interviews contact:
Yvette Farrell MLA/LiveCorp (02) 9463 9388 or 0416 189 775