FAQs
The following information is provided courtesy of LiveCorp - www.livecorp.com.au
1. Who is involved in the live export trade?
2. What is the value of the trade to the Australian Economy?
3. Which countries does LiveCorp export to?
4. How to I become a livestock exporter?
5. How is the Industry Regulated?
6. What is the livestock export process?
7. How is LiveCorp funded?
8. What is LiveCorp doing about animal welfare?
9. What penalties apply?
10. How many animals are exported live?
11. How are stock fed and watered on ship?
12. How long is a voyage?
13. What are "Trigger Levels"?
14. What is Risk Management?
15. How much can I buy sheep or cattle for live export?
16. What is the difference between ALEC and LiveCorp?
1. Who is involved in the live export trade?
Livestock producers from most areas of Australia supply or receive indirect benefit from the Australian livestock export trade. Independent estimates indicate that in excess of 9,000 jobs are created by the trade throughout rural and regional Australia. A recent study estimated that for every job generated in the live export chain, another 1.6 jobs are created. All Australian states and territories comprise businesses that benefit from the live export trade.
The industry provides jobs for: ancillary suppliers and services such as livestock agents, transport operators, exporters, stevedores and shipping companies, feedlot operators, fodder and chemical suppliers, veterinarians, saleyards, stockmen, port authorities, helicopter mustering services, and the finance and insurance sectors. Consignments of livestock are loaded at over 20 ports around Australia.
2. What is the value of the trade to the Australian Economy?
The livestock export trade is vital to Australia's agricultural export earnings and to the economies of rural and regional areas. It is currently valued at $730 million. Live export is an important market for many livestock producers, already facing drought and reduced demand in some key markets overseas due to consumers concerns over recent disease incidents. In 2002 the livestock export trade was valued at over one billion dollars.
3. Which countries does LiveCorp export to?
Principal export markets include:
Sheep
Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Israel, Lebanon, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
Breeder cattle
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Jordan, Japan, Israel and Brunei.
Dairy cattle
China, Mexico, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
Goats
Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius and Brunei.
4. How do I become a livestock exporter?
Exporters of livestock are required to be licensed by the government. Enquiries should be directed to AQIS on 02 6272 4581 or refer to the AQIS website.
5. How is the Industry Regulated?
The industry is closely regulated by government as follows:
Exporters
- Licensing of exporters - all exporters are licensed by AQIS under the Australian Meat and Livestock Industries Act 1997.
- Certification of each consignment - exporters must obtain an Export Permit from AQIS for each consignment prior to export, in accordance with the Export Control Act. This requires the provision of a detailed Notice of Intention and Consignment Risk Management Plan.
Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock
The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) have developed standards for the export process. Refer Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock for more information.
Exporters must prepare stock for export in accordance with these Standards, to meet the requirement of the licence and the issuing of an Export Permit.
Registered Premises
Premises used for the preparation of livestock for export must be registered by AQIS.
AQIS Accredited Veterinarians
Only AQIS accredited veterinarians may undertake veterinary functions in an approved export program. Refer AQIS Accredited Veterinarians for more information.
Ships
Livestock ships must be approved by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority as meeting the requirements of Marine Order 45.
Prevention of Cruelty Legislation
State legislation on the prevention of cruelty to animals applies to the handling, management and transport of animals.
Airfreight
Airfreight requirements are in accordance with the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock and IATA (International Air Transport Association) Live Animal Regulations.
6. What is the livestock export process?
The stages in the livestock export process can be summarised as:
- Selection of stock for export
- Road transportation to assembly depot
- Assembly depot - preparation for export
- Road transportation to vessel/aircraft
- Loading aboard vessel/aircraft
- Shipment
- Discharge
7. How is LiveCorp Funded?
A statutory levy to fund LiveCorp activities was introduced by the Federal Government from 1 January 2005. The levy is payable by the exporter at rates of:
Cattle $0.0095238/kg
Sheep $0.60/head
Goats $0.50/head
A Statutory Funding Agreement exists between the Federal Government and LiveCorp detailing accountability and other obligations on LiveCorp.
8. What is LiveCorp doing about animal welfare?
LiveCorp has a number of programs directed at ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare are maintained within the industry. These include activities undertaken jointly with Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), covering:
- Research & Development
- Technical and project activities in destination countries
- Quality Support Services to the Australian industry
A comprehensive explanation of animal welfare as it relates to the Australian livestock export industry is available at Live Export Care http://www.liveexportcare.com.au/
9. What penalties apply?
Licensing (responsibility of AQIS)
An exporter must have a licence. Without a license an exporter cannot export. Each consignment needs an export permit to obtain a customs release from Australia. Without an export permit the ship or aircraft cannot leave Australia. Failure to observe government orders under the AMLI Act can result in the loss of licence. State Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is to be observed at all times and failure in basic animal welfare can see a consignment stopped by AQIS.
Customer Country Protocols (responsibility of AQIS)
Some customer countries have protocols requiring an import permit, which in turn requires a Health Certificate from AQIS. This Health Certificate guarantees that all health protocol conditions have been met. Without this, entry into the country concerned may be prevented and as a result the consignment would be prevented from leaving Australia. Where protocols do not apply AQIS/Customs can, should problems arise, withhold the issuance of an Export Permit, preventing the consignment from leaving Australia.
Shipboard (responsibility of AMSA)
Each livestock vessel is licensed by AMSA. If a vessel fails to comply with the provisions of Marine Order 43 of the Navigation Act, the vessel may be barred from loading future consignments and penalties apply to the shipping company. False declarations supplied to any Government department are covered under the various “Oath Acts” and penalties apply. Sanctions include loss of ship’s licence to carry livestock. In addition the ship is subject to additional engineering inspection and scrutiny by AMSA on arrival back in Australia.
10. How many animals are exported live?
LiveCorp generates regular statistics on the live export trade out of Australia. If more detail is required please contact the LiveCorp office via email or phone.
11. How are stock fed and watered on ship?
All vessels are obliged under Marine Order 43, administered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, to have provision for the continuous supply of water and fodder while on board ship.
All ships on the long voyages have facilities to produce their own fresh water while at sea, but often top up their water tanks at port. The amount of water required for the various species is stipulated in the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock and the calculated quantity is compared with the actual quantity before a Health certificate is issued by AQIS.
Likewise the quantity of fodder required is also stipulated and checked. Fodder normally consists of pelletised grain/chaff or derivatives. This is loaded aboard ship prior to sailing.
For airfreight, standards are found in the IATA (International Air Transport Association) Live Animal Regulations. These are policed by the airline and AQIS staff at the airport and are called up under the Australian Livestock Export Standards.
12. How long is a voyage?
Sea voyages are divided into 2 categories:
- Long haul >10 days
- Short haul <10 days
Different Standards apply to each.
The duration of the voyage is dependant on the port of embarkation.:
- Voyages to the Middle East range from 14-21 days duration
- Voyages to China, Japan or Korea range from 10-14 days
- Voyages to Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia etc take from 3-7 days.
13. What are ‘Trigger Levels’?
Incorporated in Australian Maritime Safety Authority Marine Orders 43 are mortality levels, which require an investigation into the functioning of the vessel concerned. These are called “trigger levels”. If these levels are reached, the ship’s master is obliged by law to report these to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in Canberra who instigate an investigation. Trigger levels are listed below:
Mortalities
Sheep 2%
Goats 2%
Cattle 1% (Long Haul) / 0.5% (Short Haul).
14. What is Risk Management?
Risk Management is a formal process designed to identify and reduce risks. In a complex process like live animal exporting, a range of factors need to be examined to ensure problems do not occur. The practice proposed for the Live Export Industry follows the Australian Standard (AS/NZ 4360:1999). This process consists of methods to ensure each potential risk is identified and then analysed for it potential consequence and likelihood of occurring. With this information procedures and systems can be introduced to ensure the risk identified can be reduced to an acceptable level, or if this cannot be done, ensure the consignment does not take place.
15. How much can I buy sheep or cattle for live export?
If you are looking to purchase livestock for live export out of Australia we suggest you submit a Trade Inquiry direct to exporters. They will be able to provide you with a quote specific to your request.
16. What is the difference between ALEC and LiveCorp?
ALEC is the industry peak council body responsible for industry policy. It is funded by member fees and through arrangements administered by the Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC).
LiveCorp is the company responsible for industry service delivery. It is funded through statutory levies on exporters and is accountable to industry members under a constitution, and to the Australian Government under a Statutory Funding Agreement.
Information courtesy of Livecorp http://www.livecorp.com.au/
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