25 May 2022
Species: All
Countries: All
Attention
- Australian Government Accredited Veterinarians (AAVs)
- Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council
- Department Officers
- LiveCorp
- Livestock Exporters
- Meat and Livestock Australia
- Registered Establishment (RE) occupiers
Purpose
To advise industry stakeholders that the department is commencing the full consignment audit pilot program.
Key points
- The pilot program will be conducted in conjunction with the current inspection process; however, all livestock and documents may be inspected. The team may also conduct interviews with persons in charge of key duties in the export process. Activities will be conducted at registered establishments and/or the port of embarkation.
- The scope of the audit is to assess compliance with applicable legislation, importing country requirements and the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock.
- Activities associated with the pilot program will not incur a fee-for-service; however, standard fees such as those related to Regional Veterinary Officer inspections and certificates will still apply.
- Where non-compliances are identified, these will be managed as per normal processes.
- Findings will be used to inform standards and policy development, and future reforms.
- The future of full consignment audits will be determined after considering the outcomes of the pilot program.
Instructions
- The department will notify both the exporter of a consignment and RE occupier/s (of the RE/s where export operations relating to the consignment are carried out), that the consignment has been selected for audit. Notification will be by email and phone at least 3 business days before the scheduled departure date of the consignment.
- The email notification will include information on documents and/or assistance to be provided.
- Exporters and RE occupiers will be expected provide facilities and/or assistance to the audit team as required by section 271 of the Export Control Act 2020.
Background
Commencement of the full consignment audit pilot program is in response to the recommendation from the independent Review of the Regulatory Capability and Culture of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources in the Regulation of Live Animal Exports by Mr Philip Moss AM, being that the department strengthen the approved arrangements model for live animal exports by introducing random full inspections of consignments. The program was due to commence in 2020 however was delayed due to COVID related travel restrictions.
Kelly Porter
Director
Animal Welfare Branch
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Natasha Webb
Contact Officer
Phone: 02 6272 3216
Email: aselreview@agriculture.gov.au