The Australian Government is set to review the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock and the role and function of the Livestock Export Standards Advisory Group.

In a separate process, the government will also review the livestock inspection processes for sheep prior to export at the port of Fremantle, Western Australia.

Deputy Secretary of the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Phillip Glyde, said in a media release issued Tuesday that the reviews are in line with the government’s response to the recommendations made in the Independent Review into Australia’s Livestock Export Trade by Bill Farmer, AO in October 2011.

“The Australian Government is committed to the live export industry and the trade has improved substantially since the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System was introduced a year ago,” Mr Glyde said.

“The reforms introduced by the Government were about giving this industry a strong, secure, long-term future, and supporting thousands of regional jobs.”

Government and industry continue to work together to implement reforms in line with the Farmer review, including the reviews announced today.

“The Australian Government will consult broadly and work closely with industry, state and territory governments, the veterinary profession and animal welfare groups during these reviews,” Mr Glyde said.

The reviews will seek submissions from the public and will take account of the submissions on the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock made to the Independent Review into Australia’s Livestock Export Trade.

“The government has established the Livestock Export Reform Program Implementation Board, which is responsible for delivering the recommendations of the Farmer report and will oversee both of these review processes,” Mr Glyde said.

The review terms of reference, updates on the progress of the reviews and further information on live exports is available at DAFF Live Exports.