Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Rhiannon for her question. I outline that the Australian government supports the export of livestock where acceptable animal welfare conditions are maintained. The only way to secure a future for Australian livestock export is to ensure animals are being treated in line with international standards. On 24 February 2012, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry received a complaint of alleged animal welfare concerns at three Indonesian abattoirs. The complaint included video footage, which was submitted by Animals Australia, and an extract of this footage was aired on the ABC Lateline program on 28 February 2012.

The new Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System for live animal welfare breaches is there and does provide for the pathway to DAFF to investigate, as an independent regulator, to ensure that animal welfare issues are taken into account. Where there are allegations of animal welfare breaches, DAFF is there, as the independent regulator, to take appropriate action where it occurs. Officers in the department are conducting an investigation into the footage. This is a thorough investigation and it will take some time to finalise. But, can I say, the independent regulator is separate from the department in the sense that they will investigate the matter. They will then recommend appropriate action to be taken. We should not second-guess what the footage shows. We should not second-guess what information is conveyed. The complaint has been made and the independent regulator will investigate the footage and, where there are breaches, the independent regulator can take action against Australian exporters. It will depend on the investigation proper. (Time expired)