Friday, 30 July 2010
| Livestock Exports |
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The Livestock Export Industry is an integral part of the Australian agricultural economy contributing AUD 1.8 billion each year to Australia's gross domestic product. The live sheep export trade has grown substantially since 1985 when around 1000 sheep were exported annually from Western Australia to Singapore. Today, the trade is crucial to the sustainability of Australia’s sheep producers and provides a vital contribution to regional and rural communities throughout Australia and overseas. Sheep exports for 2007/08 totalled 4.1 million head with a value of $287 million. The live sheep export trade also underpins sheep prices received throughout the domestic markets in Australia.
The principal live sheep export markets include Australian sheep market share (07-08) .png) Source: LiveCorp | MLA 2008 The Middle East The Middle East relies heavily on locally processed fresh sheepmeat from Australia to feed a growing population. Australian sheep are disease-free, healthy and supplied at a competitive per kilogram rate. The supply of fresh meat is important to the region for religious and cultural reasons. The Middle East is Australia's largest overseas market for live sheep. Over 4 million sheep were exported to the Middle East in 2008, with Kuwait taking the largest shipments (956,276 head) followed by Saudi Arabia (873,937) and Oman (741,106), contributing A$321 million to the Australian economy. Recently, Sheepmeat Council President, Kate Joseph, accompanied the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Tony Burke on a delegation to the Middle East where he signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on live animal exports designed to improve the livestock export trade, secure future contracts and create jobs. Under the MoU sheep destined for Saudi Arabia must now be tagged with the accepted colour year of birth tag (using the WA system). Animal Care and Management
The livestock export industry aims for continuous improvement to livestock management, health and welfare throughout the entire supply chain from on-farm through to post-arrival at the destination. To help achieve these aims Australia’s livestock industries invest heavily in research and development programs and initiatives to improve the animal welfare outcomes throughout the entire supply chain.
Australia’s ongoing involvement in the trade is positively influencing animal care and welfare outcomes globally.
For example Australia, unlike any other country, has animal welfare experts based in the Middle East to provide practical training to stockmen and veterinarians on how to work with, handle and transport Australian animals and to assist in upgrading infrastructure such as abattoirs, ports and feedlots.
In 2007 99.03% of the 3.75 million sheep exported by sea arrived at their destination fit and healthy. Australia is regarded as the world leader in the regulation and management of the export of livestock, regulated by the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL). The ASEL covers all aspects of preparation of livestock for the voyage, from farm through to onboard management. Livestock ships follow strict requirements governed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). For more information visit: Meat and Livestock Australia LiveCorp Live Export Care DAFF Animal Transport Care |