Australia to improve animal welfare in the live trade sector

 

 

Three new projects with a combined value of A$1 million (US$917,386) have been announced under Australia's Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership.

 

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced that the government and livestock exporters and producers would invest more than A$900,000 (US$825,634) in the projects to improve animal welfare in the major live export markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

 

Burke said improving the welfare of animals was crucial to support a sustainable and profitable live export trade.

 

The projects aim to improve post-arrival animal welfare by upgrading animal handling infrastructure and providing training to those involved in animal handling and transport in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

 

The partnership is funding a range of improvements to upgrade and maintain animal holding and handling facilities in Malaysia, Indonesia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

 

These projects were recommended for funding by the Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership Project Advisory Committee consisting of representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the live animal export industry and an independent member.