AUSTRALIAN livestock producers and exporters say the inhumane treatment of animals is unacceptable, speaking in response to damaging allegations of animal cruelty in Vietnam.
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In a joint statement issued by Cattle Council of Australia and the Australian Livestock Exporters Council this morning, the peak bodies said they were focused on ensuring that the wellbeing and welfare of livestock was provided for at all times.
The statement was issued in response to news that anti-live export group Animals Australia has supplied the federal Department of Agriculture with video footage showing cattle being bludgeoned with a sledge hammer in an abbatoir in Vietnam (click here).
The abattoir is understood to be outside the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) which is designed to strictly to regulate the treatment of Australia cattle. The cattle do not have eartags but are alleged to have been sourced from Australia.
“So evidence of animal cruelty for any animal affects us and is taken seriously by the entire Australian red meat and livestock sector,” the statement reads.
“The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) has advised us that it has commenced an investigation following evidence provided to them by Animals Australia of the brutal use of sledgehammers to slaughter alleged Australian cattle at an abattoir in Vietnam.
“The industry understands that the evidence provided to the department today relates to an abattoir not approved to receive livestock exported from Australia, but that Animals Australia alleges Australian cattle are being supplied to non-approved abattoirs in the Phu Xuygen (Bai do) district and that non-approved practices are being used in ESCAS approved abattoirs.”
The joint statement says industry fully supports the department’s decision to commence an immediate and thorough investigation.
“Australian livestock exporters have also taken immediate steps to interrogate control and traceability systems and will be announcing additional response measures in the coming days,” the statement reads.
“Australian livestock exporters are responsible for cattle to the point of slaughter and any movement of cattle to facilities outside of approved supply chains can constitute a critical breach of Australian regulations.
“If any exporters are found to have deliberately breached their obligations then harsh penalties do apply.
“As the representative organisations of the Australian livestock export industry, it is our responsibility to work with DAWR, Australian exporters and industry partners to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted and that swift action is taken to address any failure of facilities, supply chains or systems.”
ALEC chief executive officer Alison Penfold said she was still seeking to obtain the video footage supplied to the department by Animals Australia.
She said the images could help enable live exporters and regulars to address animal welfare issues in Vietnam.
