The Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud has announced a short, sharp review of the standards for the sheep trade during the Middle Eastern summer.
The review is expected to take four weeks to allow any recommendations to be acted on before sheep are sent to the Middle Eastern summer from Australia’s winter.
“This will be a short, sharp review looking into the standards of the northern summer trade to give confidence in those boats and the standards in which those sheep go to the Middle East,” Littleproud said.
“I’ve asked Dr Michael McCarthy, a pre-eminent vet who has experience in the export industry, to undertake that review.
“I spoke to Dr McCarthy this morning and he believes he’ll be able to get that done well within the timeframe because of his experience in the industry and researching it.
“It’s important we take decisive action because it’s the livelihoods of farmers and their family at stake.
“It’d be great if the live export industry led on this issue and had already taken strong action by the time this review comes back. If I have to drag them kicking and screaming, I will, but I’d prefer they led and proved to the Australian people they are serious about cultural change.”