4 March 2026
Species: Livestock
Countries: Middle East region
Attention
- Accredited veterinarians
- Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council
- Departmental officers
- LiveCorp
- Livestock exporters
- Meat and Livestock Australia
Purpose
To inform stakeholders that the department has updated the Contingency plans for livestock consignments to the Middle East policy to ensure it remains fit for purpose, accounting for recent changes to the security situation in the Middle Eastern region.
Key points
- This updated policy comes into effect immediately. The department will contact exporters with Notices of intention (NOI) in TRACE for upcoming consignments that may be impacted.
- The policy applies to all exporters preparing livestock for export by sea where the livestock vessel is intended to travel:
- to or through the Red Sea
- to any Middle Eastern port.
- Additional updates to the policy include highlighting the importance of timely provision of information to support NOI assessment, and including information about revoking the approval of an NOI if required.
- The department may make further updates to the policy if the situation in the region escalates further. We may also make ad hoc requests for contingency plans for livestock consignments exported by air.
Background
During assessment of an NOI, the department considers relevant information from a range of sources. When considering the approval of an NOI, the delegate must be satisfied (among other things) under section 8-6 of the Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021 that:
- the arrangements for the transport of the livestock to their final overseas destination are appropriate to ensure their health and welfare
- an approved exporter supply chain assurance system (ESCAS) is in force for consignments containing feeder and slaughter livestock.
The Contingency plans for livestock consignments to the Middle East policy was first published in 2024 in response to the security situation in the Red Sea (EAN 2024-07).
Jon Cupit
Director, Policy and Regulatory Improvement
Live Animal Export Branch
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Carolyn White
Contact officer
Phone: 02 6272 4581
Email livestockexp@aff.gov.au