May 9, 2007

Australia signs livestock exports agreement with Libya

Australia is all set to export livestock to Libya after ten years as representatives from the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering all procedures involved in the export trade.

The MoU was signed in Canberra by Australian minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, and Libyan secretary for Agriculture, Animals and Marine Wealth, Dr Abu Baker Al-Mabrook Al-Mansouri.

Australia has not exported livestock to Libya since 1999, when the trade ended due to commercial reasons.

McGauran said the MoU detailed the requirements necessary for the livestock trade to start up, including a comprehensive inspection regime be in place as well as a secure quarantine holding facility in Libya.

The agriculture minister said the protocols contained within the MoU - which covers cattle, sheep, and goats for slaughter and breeding, as well as horses and camels - will make sure the health and welfare of the exported animals remain at internationally acceptable levels.

McGauran said the Libyan trade would generate at least A$40 million a year.

The agriculture chief added the agreement was Australia's eighth bilateral MoU on live animal trade to the Middle East and followed similar arrangements with the United Arab Emirates (December 2004), Kuwait (March 2005), Eritrea (April 2005), Saudi Arabia and Jordan (May 2005).

Australia signed two separate MoUs relating to live trade with Egypt in October 2006.

The memorandum on live trade with Middle East countries is part of the Australin government's response to the 2003 Keniry Livestock Export Review. Along with developing MoUs, Australia has introduced improved standards covering livestock exports, has tightened the export licensing process and has drafted incident response plans.