Live Export

Live export research tenders signal ongoing welfare focus

James Nason, 23/04/2014

LiveCorp and Meat & Livestock Australia are calling for tenders on three new projects which aim to drive further improvements in animal welfare standards in overseas markets and to better communicate the live export trade’s commitment to welfare to the broader community.

Tenders for the three projects were called on the MLA website last week, with an application deadline set for April 30.

One project aims to work with in-market users of Australian livestock to demonstrate the link between ESCAS (Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System) compliance and best practice meat quality, safety and hygiene practices.

“Promotion of the shared benefits will act as a useful tool and incentive in existing supply chains, as well as being promoted and implemented in new and emerging markets. Identification of the contribution of ESCAS towards meat quality, safety and hygiene objectives will support and promote the important message of ESCAS as a pathway to improved food safety,” the tender information states.

Another project aims to benchmark the animal welfare standards of the Australian livestock export industry against other exporters including France, Brazil, Canada and Somalia, while a third project aims to develop a broader range of animal welfare indicators than currently available to demonstrate welfare standards in the trade.

Australian Livestock Exporters Council chief executive officer Alison Penfold said the research projects reflected the industry’s ongoing commitment to continually improve animal welfare standards.

“That’s why we are measuring our performance against other like nations/industries, looking to develop indicators of welfare so the performance of the industry on welfare can be properly and objectively measured along the supply chain and looking to create a value proposition for our customers through dealing with their interest in improving food hygiene systems,” Ms Penfold said.

“The projects take us into new and largely unchartered territory but are a sign of the maturing of the trade in recent times and our interest and commitment in broadening the scope in which the trade is assessed.”

More details on each projects and the terms of reference for each can be viewed on the MLA website at the following link: http://www.mla.com.au/Research-and-development/Funding-opportunities/Industry-and-researchers/Current-tenders

HAVE YOUR SAY

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your comment will not appear until it has been moderated.
Contributions that contravene our Comments Policy will not be published.

Comments

Get Beef Central's news headlines emailed to you -
FREE!