Response to ABC TV’s 4 Corners Program
30 May 2011
The Australian livestock export industry has again condemned animal cruelty after footage was aired tonight showing cruel practices involving Australian cattle in Indonesian abattoirs, and has committed to cooperate with the Australian Government inquiry to immediately investigate any evidence of cruelty.
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) Chairman Don Heatley said the industry fully accepts there is much more work to do in Indonesia, and that the treatment depicted in the footage will not be tolerated by anyone in the industry.
"The livestock export industry will be investigating the further facilities identified during Four Corners and will take immediate corrective action, as it did last week when shown footage of four facilities. On seeing this footage the industry immediately moved to suspend the supply of cattle to three facilities where cruel practices were identified.
"MLA and LiveCorp also sent an extra team of animal welfare experts to Indonesia to intensify our training programs to address poor practices identified in another facility," Mr Heatley said.
LiveCorp CEO Cameron Hall said the industry is committed to making further improvements in Indonesia.
"All of our work in Indonesia is directed at ensuring the type of actions depicted in this footage never occurs," Mr Hall said.
"The industry has been working hard to introduce stunning into Indonesian abattoirs for some time, and we are accelerating this work so that stunning is adopted in more facilities by the end of the year."
Cattle Council of Australia CEO David Inall said the industry is assessing every facility that receives Australian cattle.
"The animal cruelty shown on the 4 Corners program is indefensible. Cattle producers are committed to ensuring facilities that receive our cattle are meeting international standards," Mr Inall said.
Ends
To see the improvements the industry is making in our overseas markets visit www.youtube.com/livestockexporttruth
For a copy of the Strategic vision for in-market animal welfare and the Indonesia animal welfare action plan visit www.mla.com.au/About-the-red-meat-industry/Livestock-exports
For interviews contact MLA/LiveCorp - 02 9463 9189
For general enquiries - 1800 675 717
Released by: Australian Livestock Exporters' Council, Cattle Council of Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia and LiveCorp.
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