January 24, 2012

A delegation to the Middle East to discuss new regulations governing the Australian livestock export for slaughter will be led by Australian Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig.

Exporters reportedly have warned they may not be able to meet an end-of-February deadline for accreditation.

There are also concerns the regulations have not been properly explained to local authorities in Middle East sheep markets. The delegation will visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar this week.

Senator Ludwig said on Monday the visit was an important way to explain the regulations. Exporters will have to show that they can trace animals for slaughter, and that they are treated at or above internationally-accepted welfare standards. Australian Greens senator Lee Rhiannon urged the minister to stick to the February 29 deadline.

"Senator Ludwig will betray the public if he buckles to industry bullying and gives sheep traders more time to confirm," she said in a statement.

In the six months to December 2011, about 253,500 cattle for feeder and slaughter were exported from Australia. Of those, about 65% were exported to Indonesia. Other large cattle markets included Israel (24,830 head), Turkey (16,530) and Egypt (14,600).

In 2011/12, Australian exports of live cattle are expected to fall by nearly a third to 500,000 head. Live sheep exports will drop by about 4% to 2.8 million head.