Lobby group wants general set of rules governing livestock standards so operators have one consistent legal requirement to work to
By Ruza Zivkusic-Aftasi | July 25, 2012
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) wants a general set of rules to apply across the country to address livestock export issues.
ALRTA Executive Director Philip Halton says his members believe a consistent legal standard across all states is needed.
He says he has met twice with the Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig’s office to voice the concerns of his members.
Halton’s recommendation comes as the Federal Government is set to review the livestock export standards and the role of the Livestock Export Standards Advisory Group.
“At the moment those laws are just coming in to force at state level around the country but the integration of those state-based laws and the federal law that applies to the live export companies hasn’t been made very clear yet,” Halton says.
“We want to make sure that our members have one consistent legal standard to work to. You don’t want to have one animal welfare standard that applies on the state law and a different animal welfare standard that applies federally.
“The rules for how animals are handled, when they have water, what the requirements are, they all need to be the same whether the animal is moving overseas or whether the animal is just moving around Australia and will ultimately become part of the food system in Australia.”
Deputy Secretary of the Federal Department of Agriculture Phillip Glyde says livestock trade has improved substantially since a supply chain assurance system for exports was introduced last year.
“The reforms introduced by the government were about giving this industry a strong, secure, long-term future and supporting thousands of regional jobs,” Glyde says.
“The Australian Government will consult broadly and work closely with industry, state and territory governments, the veterinary profession and animal welfare groups during these reviews.”