The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) has published guidebooks to support users of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL).
The ASEL includes criteria that deem an animal inappropriate for export. These guidebooks will support consistent interpretation and application of these criteria (“rejection criteria”).
The rejection criteria guidebooks aim to:
- clearly explain the ASEL rejection criteria and provide clarification and technical information to government and non-government users to promote the consistent application of rejection criteria
- improve welfare outcomes for export livestock through better management prior to loading
- provide clear guidance, including media, on livestock that aren’t suitable for export or to enter the export supply chain.
The guidebooks are not intended to replace any existing jurisdictional legislation or fit-to-load guides, and professional discretion should continue to be applied when assessing an animal’s suitability for export.
ASEL users can also provide feedback and additional media (photographs and video) to improve the guidebooks.
We would like to thank all those who were involved in the development stage, whose feedback and contribution have been invaluable and have made the guidebooks fit-for-purpose and user-friendly.
For further information and to view the guidebooks, visit ASEL rejection criteria guidebooks.
