An expert Technical Advisory Committee has been appointed to review the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL).
Deputy Secretary at the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Malcolm Thompson, said the ASEL was critical to the export of Australian livestock.
“We want to maintain Australia’s reputation as a world leader in animal welfare standards and as an ethical and reliable trading partner for quality protein,” Mr Thompson said.
“The ASEL standards have underpinned very strong animal welfare outcomes, with the mortality rate for Australian livestock exported by sea on a downward trend since 2006.
“This committee will work closely with a Reference Group of key stakeholders, including Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council, the RSPCA, livestock producer bodies and the Australian Veterinary Association to ensure the standards consider livestock industry innovation and development, along with the latest animal health and welfare research.
“We have representation on the committee across different facets of the trade, with an independent chair, two animal welfare experts—including a current researcher and an eminent veterinarian—a regulatory design specialist and a livestock industry expert.
“This will ensure we have skills and expertise on modern animal welfare and livestock management practices and research, along with a commitment to best practice regulation to deliver clearer and simpler standards.
The members of the Technical Advisory Committee are:
Dr Chris Back – Chair
Dr Teresa Collins – Animal Health and Welfare Expert
Dr Hugh Millar – Animal Health and Welfare Expert
Mr Russell Phillips – Regulation Specialist
Mr Kevin Shiell – Livestock Export Industry Expert.
Committee members are appointed for two years and will commence their work immediately, with public consultation to start in early 2018.