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Export advisory notice 2021-21 PDF
Attention
- All
Purpose
To advise all stakeholders that the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has commenced public consultation on the 2021 draft report Review of heat and cold stress in Bos taurus cattle from southern Australia during long haul export by sea.
Key points
- The department is conducting a review of heat and cold stress in Bos taurus cattle from southern Australia during long-haul export by sea. The review specifically examines the export of 1,019,563 head of cattle on 214 voyages over five years from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020 to determine the effect of heat and cold stress on the welfare of Bos taurus cattle during sea voyages of 10 days or more.
- On 29 October 2021 the draft report was released for public consultation via the Have Your Say webpage. The consultation period concludes on 26 November 2021. The department expects to complete the review in February 2022.
- Depending on the outcome of the review, the department may:
- implement, in consultation with stakeholders, minor changes to management of Bos taurus cattle during their preparation and export on long haul voyages by sea, and/or
- undertake further analysis, recommend industry undertake further research and/or consult on specific proposals.
- Findings and outcomes of the review will also inform a future review of the department’s ‘Alternative Minimum Pen Space Allocation Policy’.
Background
- In April 2020, the department commenced preliminary work on a review of temperature stress on cattle during export by sea.
- The Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) made recommendations identifying temperature stress as an issue for the welfare of exported cattle (and buffalo) on long haul voyages. This was informed by Independent Observer voyage reports.
- The review timeline was extended following requests in September and November 2020 by the Australian Livestock Exporters' Council (ALEC) that the review be delayed to allow for the implementation of ASEL 3 from 1 November 2020.
- We analysed data from 217 Bos taurus cattle voyages from southern Australian ports to a range of far markets during the 5 years from January 2016 to December 2020.
- We also considered scientific literature, industry research, the ASEL sea review, data from the Bureau of Meteorology, internal and external targeted stakeholder consultation, feedback from a technical export group and other relevant information when preparing the draft report.
Morag Donaldson
Director
Livestock Welfare Analysis and Reviews Section
Animal Welfare Branch
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Linda Wallner
Assistant Director/Contact officer
Phone: 02 6272 3412
Email animal.welfare@agriculture.gov.au