Mr KNIGHT - 2007-10-18
Last week, media reports highlighted difficulties associated with some abattoirs in the Middle East and the implications this had for the reputation of Australia’s live export industry. Are these concerns relevant to the Northern Territory’s live exports, and what measures are in place to address animal welfare issues in our South-East Asian markets?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. Obviously, the live cattle industry is a very important export industry for the Northern Territory. To date this year, we have exported around 180 000 head of Northern Territory cattle through the Port of Darwin, which is about 10 500 up on the same time last year. On top of that, we have exported about 3000 buffalo to South-East Asia.
The Northern Territory government is a very strong supporter of our live export trade and we work very closely with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association and the Northern Territory Live Exporters Association to ensure that the markets in the South-East Asian area are viable and will continue to be.
The welfare of the beasts travelling on vessels is of the utmost importance to us. Usually, our cattle are conditioned well before they leave. They are fed a formulated diet before they leave and while they are on board the ship. They are transported on short-haul voyages to South-East Asia, in most cases only three to five days. Over that time, our cattle gain weight, which is a good sign. Normally if a beast is stressed, they do not eat. The fact that cattle are gaining weight during the voyage is a great sign.
We employ experienced stockmen for loading and disembarking from ships. There is also an experienced stockman on board the ship for the voyage. I have had the experience of seeing the cattle arrive in Sabah. They have arrived in very good condition. I have had a walk around on the boat. It is not five star quality, there is a little air around the place, however they are well maintained and well looked after and I can guarantee everyone that when they leave the ship they are in fantastic condition.
Mortality rates are very low travelling from Darwin to South-East Asia. It is about 0.1%, whereas the mortality rate on a property is around 3%. So they are well maintained while they are on board.
There is a growing supermarket trade in South-East Asia. They have gone away a little from the wet markets. There are still a few wet markets around, but the supermarket trade is becoming quite a viable proposition for South-East Asian countries.
We undertake animal welfare considerations, and the industry is investing in facilities for unloading and humane slaughter, so the industry is serious about all areas to maintain the humane treatment and slaughter of the animals when they arrive.
The Northern Territory government is also providing training in management skills and practices to all those involved overseas so that the industry does become very viable. Of utmost importance to us is that our cattle are still in demand in the South-East Asian area.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. Obviously, the live cattle industry is a very important export industry for the Northern Territory. To date this year, we have exported around 180 000 head of Northern Territory cattle through the Port of Darwin, which is about 10 500 up on the same time last year. On top of that, we have exported about 3000 buffalo to South-East Asia.
The Northern Territory government is a very strong supporter of our live export trade and we work very closely with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association and the Northern Territory Live Exporters Association to ensure that the markets in the South-East Asian area are viable and will continue to be.
The welfare of the beasts travelling on vessels is of the utmost importance to us. Usually, our cattle are conditioned well before they leave. They are fed a formulated diet before they leave and while they are on board the ship. They are transported on short-haul voyages to South-East Asia, in most cases only three to five days. Over that time, our cattle gain weight, which is a good sign. Normally if a beast is stressed, they do not eat. The fact that cattle are gaining weight during the voyage is a great sign.
We employ experienced stockmen for loading and disembarking from ships. There is also an experienced stockman on board the ship for the voyage. I have had the experience of seeing the cattle arrive in Sabah. They have arrived in very good condition. I have had a walk around on the boat. It is not five star quality, there is a little air around the place, however they are well maintained and well looked after and I can guarantee everyone that when they leave the ship they are in fantastic condition.
Mortality rates are very low travelling from Darwin to South-East Asia. It is about 0.1%, whereas the mortality rate on a property is around 3%. So they are well maintained while they are on board.
There is a growing supermarket trade in South-East Asia. They have gone away a little from the wet markets. There are still a few wet markets around, but the supermarket trade is becoming quite a viable proposition for South-East Asian countries.
We undertake animal welfare considerations, and the industry is investing in facilities for unloading and humane slaughter, so the industry is serious about all areas to maintain the humane treatment and slaughter of the animals when they arrive.
The Northern Territory government is also providing training in management skills and practices to all those involved overseas so that the industry does become very viable. Of utmost importance to us is that our cattle are still in demand in the South-East Asian area.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016