Answers to Questions

Live Sheep Export

In reply to the Hon. F. PANGALLO (3 May 2018).

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment): The Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development has advised:

The South Australian government supports the state's livestock producers and associated industries that rely on the live export trade. The South Australian government supports the high standards of animal welfare which are regulated. The government remains supportive of the live export industry and the more than 400 South Australian jobs generated by the local industry and we will work closely with the Australian government pending the outcomes of the current review of recent shipments to the Middle East, where there were unacceptable mortalities of sheep en route to support the industry as it implements recommendations of the recent independent McCarthy Review into the export of sheep to the Middle East.

The Australian government, not individual states, is responsible for the export of livestock from Australia. Exporters must comply with the Commonwealth Export Control Act 1982, and under this legislation, exporters must comply with two mandatory standards; the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL), which is also under review, and the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS), where the exporter must keep control of the supply chain arrangements in the importing country during livestock transport, management and slaughter. Compliance with ESCAS is independently audited, and alleged breaches of ESCAS, and ASEL, are investigated by the commonwealth Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. Non-compliance can result in loss of an exporter's licence.

The McCarthy Review made 23 recommendations to improve the animal welfare conditions of sheep in the live export trade and the commonwealth government has accepted those recommendations and is working to implement them. These recommendations include reducing stocking densities on the vessels; improving heat stress assessment and management; reducing mortality performance standards and checking animal weights to assess the accuracy of proposed loading plans.

RSPCA (SA) inspectors have the authority to investigate breaches of the South Australian Animal Welfare Act 1985 and take action regarding any unlawful handling and treatment of livestock within the state.

This includes the transport and handling of livestock up to the point that they are loaded onto the ship. The animals then come under the responsibility of the commonwealth and the exporter for their passage, disembarkation and slaughter.