A message from the Chairman - an update on the industry animal welfare plan in Indonesia 20/06/11
On behalf of the livestock industry I would like to provide an update on progress that has been achieved on the industry's $9 million animal welfare plan to progressively reopen the cattle trade to Indonesia.
Producers and businesses across northern Australia have made it clear to their industry representatives that reopening the market is the best means to ensure their financial security.
A progressive reopening can test the effectiveness of new systems currently being implemented for the welfare of Australian cattle.
It is proposed that the cattle currently being held in northern Australian quarantine facilities would be exported as part of the reopening, which would address the immediate welfare concerns around these cattle.
Following meetings of the Industry and Government Working Group on Live Animal Exports a clear path has been developed for the reopening of the trade to Indonesia.
The working group is finalising:
- the regulatory framework and industry exporter supply chain assurance framework to manage livestock exports, to give assurance of animal welfare outcomes that meet or exceed OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) standards; and
- guidelines for auditing against international animal welfare standards.
MLA and LiveCorp are delivering a number of programs in conjunction with the requirements of the controlled supply chain system. A team of animal welfare experts, working with Indonesian cattle importers, have focused on the following activities over the past two weeks to enable the swift resumption of Australia's livestock export trade.
Increased stunning
There are now 11 Indonesian facilities using stunning equipment. Building on the five that were already in use, we have assisted another two facilities to install stunning equipment and an Indonesian importer has supplied another four facilities. A further three facilities have been identified to have stunning installed as a priority. Expert training has been delivered with the MLA/LiveCorp team providing additional technical support.
Improved infrastructure
As requested by Indonesia, a program to review abattoir infrastructure and design has commenced. This will develop alternative options based on a Temple Grandin standing slaughter design, which will allow for both stunning and processing in the standing position. Designs will consider local conditions such as the lack of electricity and level of skill required to allow it to be manually operated.
OIE compliance assurance program
An audit checklist for all sectors of the livestock import trade in Indonesia will be used to assess whether their operations comply with OIE standards. Individual feedlots and abattoirs will need to have management procedures in place for staff training, maintaining equipment, feed programs, management of cattle and slaughter procedures.
Traceability of cattle within Indonesia
A team is urgently developing a traceability system for cattle in Indonesia. This will enable importers to trace animals from the vessel into the feedlot, and then out of the feedlot and into the abattoir.
Training animal welfare officers
MLA and LiveCorp will train 30 animal welfare officers during June to be stationed in facilities processing Australian cattle. The training will cover animal handling training, Halal slaughter practices, standard operating procedures, hygiene and stunning training.
Increased training for Indonesian abattoir workers
A team of eight Australian stock handling experts have conducted intensive training programs over the past two weeks.
The Industry and Government Working Group continues to progress these actions including a review of our activities in all livestock export markets.
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