Footage

Middle East November 2010

Loading sheep into the appropriate vehicles at Bahrain Livestock Company

Eid al-Adha livestock transport, Bahrain

Using the sheep trolley to transport sheep, Qatar

Adding enclosures to ute trays to make them suitable for transporting livestock, Qatar

Australian sheep at Kuwait feedlot, and being loaded onto livestock trucks, Kuwait

Major upgrade work to Shuwaikh commercial abattoir, Kuwait

Statement:

Australia’s livestock export industry is deeply concerned about the footage shown on ABC TV’s 7.30 Report.  No animal should be handled or treated in this way.

We wish to reassure the Australian community that this footage is not indicative of how Australian livestock are routinely handled in the Middle East.

Australia’s livestock export industry is committed to continually improving animal welfare in overseas markets.

We currently run a strategic animal welfare improvement program across the Middle East, including Kuwait. This is an ongoing program that is steadily making a difference to animal welfare through raising awareness of the right way to manage livestock.

In Kuwait we have improved port, feedlot and abattoir facilities to ensure they meet World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) standards. We are delivering further facility upgrades and providing Australian livestock training and education programs.

Our Middle East-based animal welfare specialists are currently working with all levels of stakeholders in Kuwait – from government to feedlot and abattoir management and staff – as part of our ongoing strategy to improve animal welfare. They are also seeking to address the treatment of livestock seen on the 7.30 Report.

The 7.30 Report footage is not representative of the treatment of Australian livestock in the Middle East. As a result of our work in-market, throughout the year the majority of animals are transported from professional feedlots in livestock trucks to professional abattoirs where they are processed humanely.

Australia’s producers, exporters and Government are committed to ensuring our livestock are well treated in Australia and overseas.  This is why they invest millions of dollars into training programs and infrastructure upgrades across the region, and why industry will continue its commitment to improving the welfare of our livestock in overseas markets.

Eid al Adha media statement 18 November 2010

More information available at    liveexportcare.com

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