Participants at the National Animal Welfare Officers Forum Competition

Over the past five years, Indonesian animal welfare officers, employed in Australian live export supply chains, have been working together to provide professional development opportunities for in-market staff.

The group, called the Forum AWO, has received funding from the Indonesia-Australia Red Meat Cattle Partnership (IA-RMCP), a partnership of the Australian and Indonesian Governments, specifically to establish a network across Indonesia able to provide animal welfare training and support both for local and export facilities.

Forum AWO Indonesia provided Welfare Training and Cattle Handling Practices at a local feedlot

The Forum provides support to in-market staff, through facilitating training opportunities that build awareness of animal welfare and handling skills.

FAWO is made up of cattle importers, feedlotters and locally based live exporter staff and is led by a volunteer committee made up of nine members, supported by 21 regional representatives covering 13 regions across Java and Sumatra Islands.

Over the last few years, the network has successfully run several training events both in the classroom and in the field, supporting hundreds of attendees from both Australian cattle supply chains and local cattle farmers.

Last week, the first National Animal Welfare Officers Forum Competition was held outside Jakarta.

Participants competed in several activities across the two day event

With over 80 participants travelling from across Indonesia, the competition aimed to enhance knowledge, skills, and networks among Animal Welfare Officers and livestock handlers in Indonesia.

The competition saw participants undergo assessments evaluating their competency in areas such as animal welfare, ESCAS standards, and Halal requirements.  This included quizzes and practical tasks, including equipment maintenance and other areas of focus.

The two-day event included the FAWO’s annual general meeting, where a new committee for 2024-2027 was elected.

Outgoing Chair, Dr. Neny Santy Jelita Lumbantoruan said “Participants showed high levels of enthusiasm during the competition. FAWO now has a significant influence in terms of animal welfare practices in the industry and further afield. This would not happen without support from IA-RMCP.”

Dr.Neny and Jessie at the event

Australian-based Animal Welfare Manager for live export company AUSTREX, Jessie Phillips attended the event.

“The impact of FAWO in instilling a sense of significance regarding animal welfare within the industry is truly commendable. The evident pride displayed by the AWOs showcasing their skills in this domain, made for a fantastic event!”

The Forum AWO has been heralded by Australian companies as signalling a fundamental shift in how in-market support and training is provided.

“We talk a lot in Australia about how our live export industry has a positive effect on global animal welfare standards. Organisations like the FAWO are a shining example of these claims” said Will Evans, NT Cattlemen’s Association CEO.

“While industry and MLA will always need to continue supporting these groups, putting organisations like the FAWO in the driver’s seat is a critical next step in enhancing our long-term relationships with our trading partners.”

More information on the FAWO and their programs can be read here.