July 22, 2011

 

Australia identifies Indonesian abattoirs to slaughter cattle

 

 

Three abattoirs in Bandarlampung met animal health standards to slaughter Australian cows after Australia verified 13 abattoirs in the area, according to a regional official.

 

"Of the 13 abattoirs, only three have fulfilled animal health standards and allowed to slaughter Australian cattle," Acting Head of Lampung's Husbandry Serives Siti Komariah said on Thursday (Jul 21).

 

Komariah said Australia had sent a journalist to verify and observe the propriety of slaughter houses in Lampung province, Sumatra.

 

Australia recently decided to suspend its cattle exports to Indonesia following reports that cattle before being slaughtered at Indonesian abattoirs were abused.

 

Komariah said Australia would allow the slaughter of its cows at the three abattoirs but warned that if they breached the conditions, it would stop its cattle exports to Lampung again.

 

It was reported last month that Australia had threatened to stop exporting cattle to Indonesia after a document revealed that abattoirs had committed cruelty against the animals sent there for slaughter.

 

The footage aired on ABC1's Four Corners showed the animals were kicked, thrashed and beaten, their throats were hacked at, eyes gouged and tails were broken.

 

Australia's export agency LiveCorp took the decision to stop exporting cattle to Indonesia after it was given footage of animal cruelty by animal rights campaigners.

 

The move came ahead of an investigative feature, which included the film from Indonesia, on the ABC's Four Corners.