W.RDE.0012 - Comparison of Australian and international airfreight welfare requirements

Summary

Multiple requirements currently apply to the export of Australian livestock by air. Exporters must comply with the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) as well as regulations for livestock movement applied by the International Aviation Transport Association (IATA). The requirements vary, which can make full compliance difficult.

This project sought to understand and identify opportunities to harmonise the air freight requirements to streamline regulatory compliance and ensure transparency in animal welfare compliance throughout the supply chain.

Objectives

The objectives of this project were to:

identify and map the requirements of ASEL 3.2 and IATA for the export of cattle, sheep and goats by air

identify the requirements of livestock exporters to comply

establish the scientific basis for points of difference identified between the requirements (through scientific literature review), including determining where they do not have a scientific basis

describe the future risks and trajectory of requirements through a comparison to other international requirements (such as OIE guidelines)

create educational materials for better understanding and adoption of welfare requirements.

Key findings

Generally, ASEL has more detailed regulatory requirements than apply in any other jurisdiction.

Many of the requirements in ASEL are based on experience with livestock transported by sea and do not address a significant animal welfare risk for livestock exported by air. This places Australian livestock air freight exporters at a commercial disadvantage relative to their overseas competitors.

There is an opportunity to refine the requirements to be more aligned with the specific risks associated with the export of livestock by air, without negatively impacting animal welfare.

Benefits to industry

The project will support a risk-based regulatory approach to the export of livestock by air and ensure that high levels of animal health and welfare continue to be maintained.

MLA action

There are also recommendations for changes to the International Air Transport Association Live Animal Regulations, to incorporate accepted best practice procedures for air transport of cattle, sheep and goats.

Future research

This project provided 23 recommendations for changes to ASEL requirements for cattle, sheep and goats exported by air, to achieve animal welfare standards that are fit-for-purpose but minimise regulatory burden and economic consequences.