scholarly journals Review of Livestock Welfare Indicators Relevant for the Australian Live Export Industry

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1236
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Fleming ◽  
Sarah L. Wickham ◽  
Emma J. Dunston-Clarke ◽  
Renee S. Willis ◽  
Anne L. Barnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
Community Attitudes ◽  
Export Industry ◽  
Livestock Species ◽  
Political Relations ◽  
Export Supply ◽  
Benchmarking System ◽  
Live Export

Animal welfare is an important issue for the live export industry (LEI), in terms of economic returns, community attitudes and international socio-political relations. Mortality has traditionally been the main welfare measure recorded within the LEI; however, high mortality incidents are usually acted upon after adverse events occur, reducing the scope for proactive welfare enhancement. We reviewed 71 potential animal welfare measures, identifying those measures that would be appropriate for use throughout the LEI for feeder and slaughter livestock species, and categorised these as animal-, environment- and resource-based. We divided the live export supply chain into three sectors: (1) Australian facilities, (2) vessel and (3) destination country facilities. After reviewing the relevant regulations for each sector of the industry, we identified 38 (sector 1), 35 (sector 2) and 26 (sector 3) measures already being collected under current practice. These could be used to form a ‘welfare information dashboard’: a LEI-specific online interface for collecting data that could contribute towards standardised industry reporting. We identified another 20, 25 and 28 measures that are relevant to each LEI sector (sectors 1, 2, 3, respectively), and that could be developed and integrated into a benchmarking system in the future.

scholarly journals Australian Livestock Export Industry Workers’ Attitudes toward Animal Welfare

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1411
Author(s):  
Renee S. Willis ◽  
Emma J. Dunston-Clarke ◽  
Leah R. Keating ◽  
Patricia A. Fleming ◽  
Teresa Collins
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Export Industry ◽  
Export Supply ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Provided Examples ◽  
Live Export

Understanding live export industry workers’ attitudes and beliefs toward animal welfare can provide insight into their decision-making processes and likely behavior. Industry workers (n = 265) with various roles within the supply chain were surveyed from different global regions. Participants were divided into ten categories according to their industry roles and compared using ordinal regression. Respondents were highly likely to have a positive attitude toward animal welfare; the majority of workers enjoyed working with livestock (95.8%) and agreed that livestock should be treated with respect (97.7%). Workers demonstrated a strong understanding of animal welfare concepts, 168 respondents (63.4%) provided examples of ways they had improved animal welfare in their workplace, and 164 workers (61.9%) suggested ways that animal welfare could be improved further. Most workers (95.8%) agreed that animal welfare was satisfactory in their workplace. Five out of the 24 multiple-choice responses differed significantly by the participant’s industry role, but no particular group displayed consistently divergent beliefs or attitudes. Given the community concern regarding animals in the livestock export supply chain, it is imperative to understand the attitudes of industry personnel who are responsible for the daily management of the animals. This knowledge assists in the development of animal welfare policy and can inform strategies to manage public perception.

scholarly journals Feasibility of a Sheep Welfare Assessment Tool in the Pre-export Phase of Australian Live Export Industry

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Collins ◽  
Ursula M. C. Anthony ◽  
Emma J. Dunston-Clarke ◽  
Patricia A. Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Behavioral Assessment ◽  
Sea Transport ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Export Industry ◽  
Behavior Health ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Live Export

Sheep are exposed to numerous stressors and environments during the pre-export phase of the live export industry. Establishing how animal behavior, health and demeanor reflect their experiences prior to sea transport is the first step toward testing the suitability and practicality of animal welfare measures. A total of 240 merino wethers originating from four farms were assessed at four locations in the live export chain: on farm, upon arrival to the registered export feedlot (Fe1), prior to departing the feedlot (Fe2) and 30 min post loading onto a live export vessel. Each of these locations and time points represent relevant assessment points as part of the commercial live export process. Pen-side behavioral and health measures were collected. Video footage was collected and edited to provide 48 30–45 s duration clips that were then scored by 12 assessors against 10 demeanor terms using a Qualitative Behavioral Assessment (QBA) methodology; data were analyzed using Principal Components (PC) analysis. Repeated Measures ANOVAs tested for variation in each dependent measure across each location and time point. There were low levels of health issues recorded overall; however, seven health and behavior measures significantly varied across the locations and time points. Most vocalizing was recorded on farm; most drinking, eating and resting behaviors were recorded at Fe1 and ruminating at Fe2; while the highest percentage of wethers with ocular discharge and lameness was on the vessel. For QBA, PC1 explained 30.5% of the variability, with agitated and nervous loaded to one end of the axis and calm and relaxed loaded to the opposing end. PC2 explained 24.5% of the variability, with interested, alert and sociable loaded to one end of the axis and lethargic loaded to the opposing end. Spearman's rank correlations between behavior, health and PC scores indicated that wethers eating, ruminating and resting were scored as more calm/relaxed, while those scored as more agitated/nervous or/ lethargic were also likely to vocalize. Determining how wethers respond to the different environments in the immediate pre-export phase of the journey informs on their welfare and the practicality of using a behavior tool to assess animal welfare.

scholarly journals Varying Opinions about Animal Welfare in the Australian Live Export Industry: A Survey

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1864
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Fleming ◽  
Sarah L. Wickham ◽  
Anne L. Barnes ◽  
David W. Miller ◽  
Teresa Collins
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Public Interest ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Live Animal ◽  
The Public ◽  
Export Industry ◽  
Welfare Measures ◽  
Poor Welfare ◽  
Live Export

There is significant public interest in the Australian live animal export industry and a need to develop a program that can measure and monitor animal welfare throughout the supply chain. An online survey of stakeholder opinions of this industry and animal welfare measures was carried out in 2015 with 921 respondents: 30% from the public who identified as animal welfare advocates (AWAs); 44% from the public who did not identify as AWAs (general public; GP); 26% live export industry (LEI) workers. AWA and GP respondents expressed greater concern than LEI respondents for animal welfare throughout the supply chain but had less concern for animals at Australian feedlots than in other parts of the supply chain. The majority of AWA and GP respondents believed data collected on animal welfare should be made public and should be collected by independent welfare officers and used to regulate the industry and impose penalties for poor welfare. LEI workers believed that data should be confidential, collected by LEI workers and used by the industry to self-regulate. AWA and GP respondents rated the importance and practicality of a number of welfare indicators greater than LEI workers, while respondents shared an analogous view of the importance and practicality of these indicators. Results can be used to develop welfare assessments that ensure a better understanding between industry members and those not in the industry, while facilitating welfare improvements and promoting greater transparency for the live export industry.

The Multiple Modes of Protesting Live Exports in Australia

Contention ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-65
Author(s):  
Jane Mummery ◽  
Debbie Rodan
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Movements ◽  
Public Sphere ◽  
Public Engagement ◽  
Multiple Modes ◽  
Export Industry ◽  
Space And Time ◽  
Public Protest ◽  
Live Export

Signaling dissatisfaction with particular events, policies, or situations, modes of protest encompass individual expressions through to the development and mobilization of social movements. Indeed, protests can range from bodies blocking space and time to the aggregation of clicked signatures in an online petition and the sharing of campaign content through social media. All of these modes are currently employed within the Australian public sphere to bring about change or closure of the live export industry. This article analyzes the current dimensions and flows of public protest against Australia’s live export industry, examining how they are shaped not only by a myriad of organizations but also by differing modes of protest, as well as by the different modes of appeal in use by activists to mobilize the Australian public sphere in protest. Through this discussion, insight is gained into some of the capacities and efficacies of multimodal protest and its significance for both public engagement and political and industry uptake.

scholarly journals Social License and Animal Welfare: Developments from the Past Decade in Australia

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan O. Hampton ◽  
Bidda Jones ◽  
Paul D. McGreevy
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Natural Resource Management ◽  
Natural Resource ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
The Past ◽  
Social License To Operate ◽  
Social License ◽  
Animal Use ◽  
Live Export

“Social license to operate” (SLO) refers to the implicit process by which a community gives an industry approval to conduct its current business activities. It has become an important focus for many natural resource management fields (especially mining), but there is less awareness of its role in animal use industries. This article describes how animal welfare has recently become arguably the most crucial consideration underpinning the SLO for Australian animal use industries. It describes several industries in Australia that have faced animal welfare scrutiny in the past decade (2010–2020) to illustrate how persistent issues can erode SLO, lead to regulatory bans, and decimate previously profitable industries. Industries described include the live export of livestock, greyhound and horse racing, kangaroo harvesting, and dairy and sheep farming. In these cases, there has been intense public discourse but little scholarly progress. This article examines factors that may have contributed to these developments and suggests approaches that may assist these industries in maintaining their SLO. Animal welfare has become a mainstream societal concern in Australia, and effective management of the community’s expectations will be essential for the maintenance of SLO for many animal use industries.

Animal Welfare and the Wto: The Legality and Implications of Live Export Restrictions under International Trade Law

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radhika Chaudhri
Keyword(s):  
International Trade ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Export Trade ◽  
The Public ◽  
Trade Law ◽  
International Trade Law ◽  
Appellate Body ◽  
Export Restrictions ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Live Export

In Australia, controversial incidents regarding the treatment of live animals exported from Australia spark regular debate on whether the live export trade should be banned or more tightly regulated. Government responses to public outcry often take the form of restrictions on the trade of the animals concerned, but the legality of unilateral measures of this kind is yet to be directly considered by the World Trade Organization's Appellate Body. This article examines the legality of imposing restrictions on live export under the international trade law regime set up by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (‘GATT’),1 and in particular, whether such measures could be justified under Article XX. In exploring this question, special attention is given to the Australian government's new regulatory framework, as introduced by the Export Control (Animals) Amendment Order 2012 (No 1), which imposes an exporter supply chain assurance obligation on Australian suppliers. In addition, in light of the continued calls from animal welfare groups to ban the trade entirely, the legality of a complete moratorium on live exports will also be considered. Although the exceptions in Articles XX(b) and XX(g) of the GATT appear to be relevant to live exports, ultimately any regulation might be best supported under the ‘public morals’ exception in Article XX(a). However, care will need to be taken in the design of any restriction to avoid breaching the strict chapeau requirements of Article XX.

Not all dogs are equal: perception of canine welfare varies with context

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
ML Cobb ◽  
A Lill ◽  
PC Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Advocacy Groups ◽  
Community Attitudes ◽  
Proactive Management ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Public Scrutiny ◽  
Societal Expectations ◽  
Very High

Community attitudes drive societal expectations, influencing government and industry regulations that determine standards of care for industries reliant on animals. It is important for dog industry stakeholders to understand public perceptions and attitudes, to inform management strategy priorities relating to animal welfare. This study sought to determine if the welfare status of dogs (Canis familiaris) is important to people and whether the perceived level of welfare varies with dog context (eg companion, protection, stock herding, assistance, sporting, free-roaming, wild, etc). Over 2,000 self-selected adults completed a voluntary, internet-based questionnaire. Responses were received from more than twelve countries and from a range of stakeholders with varied experiences. Perceived welfare status of dogs varied significantly across 17 dog contexts and roles, from extremely low (eg fighting dogs) to very high (eg guide dogs). Over 95% of respondents agreed that the welfare of dogs was very important to them. Demographic features of respondents did not relate to meaningful differences in reported importance of canine welfare or ratings of perceived welfare of dogs. The constructs underlying how people perceive the welfare of dogs appear complex and multi-dimensional. As public scrutiny forces reassessment of the welfare status of animals used in various contexts, proactive management of perceived welfare issues by companion and working dog industry stakeholders, including government, industry organisations, advocacy groups, and animal welfare researchers, is likely to be key to the sustainable participation of dogs in these roles.

scholarly journals Heat stress: A major contributor to poor animal welfare associated with long-haul live export voyages

2014 ◽  
Vol 199 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm P. Caulfield ◽  
Heather Cambridge ◽  
Susan F. Foster ◽  
Paul D. McGreevy
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Major Contributor ◽  
Live Export

scholarly journals Animal Welfare Risks in Live Cattle Export from Australia to China by Sea

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2862
Author(s):  
Stephanie Hing ◽  
Sue Foster ◽  
Di Evans
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Export Trade ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Independent Observer ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Source Of Information ◽  
Live Export

There are long-standing and ongoing concerns about the welfare of animals in the Australian live export trade by sea. However, scrutiny of animal welfare on board vessels is generally hindered by a lack of independent reporting. Cattle voyages from Australia to China have concerned animal welfare advocates due to their long duration and lack of consistent veterinary oversight. In April 2018, following a media exposé of animal cruelty and declining public trust, the Australian government installed Independent Observers on some live export voyages. Summaries of Independent Observer (IO) reports by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) provided a new and independent source of information about management of animals in the live export trade. The IO summaries on live cattle export voyages to China for the period July 2018 to December 2019 (n = 37) were reviewed. The IO summaries detailed voyages that carried 147,262 slaughter, feeder or breeder cattle which included both dairy and beef breeds. The long-haul voyages averaged 20 days in duration, generally departing the ports of Fremantle and Portland and discharging at ports in northern China. Key animal welfare risk factors identified in the IO summaries included: hunger, thirst, exposure to extreme temperatures, poor pen conditions, health issues, absence of veterinarians, rough seas, poor ship infrastructure, mechanical breakdown and mismanagement at discharge.

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