In a statement released overnight Mr Vowles said Federal Minister for Agriculture and Water, David Littleproud, has indicated via a Ministerial directive to the federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) that every shipment of livestock leaving Australia will need to have an Independent Observer on board.

NT Minister for Primary industries Ken Vowles

Mr Vowles said the Federal Government’s plan to introduce independent observers was is a result of animal welfare issues with the live sheep trade, not the live cattle or buffalo trade.

He said the costs to employ an independent observer have been estimated at $1300 per day, plus the cost of a business class flight to return the observer to Australia.

“The death of 2400 Australian sheep from overcrowding on a live export ship was appalling,” Mr Vowles said.

“But the live export of cattle and buffalo is very different to the live export of sheep.

“Ours is an expanding industry, with shorter voyages to markets in Asia and high standards of animal welfare.

“Hundreds of Territorians are employed by the sector and I am standing up for those jobs, and the jobs that will be created with continued growth of the industry.

“To slam our industry with costs for independent observers at this vital growth stage is madness.

“This fee will be passed on through the supply chain, affecting everyone from the cattle producers and buffalo catchers to the live exporters.

“I support improvements to animal welfare in the live export industry, but the Federal Government should not make a knee-jerk reaction that affects parts of the industry already operating to a high standard.

“According to the federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, between June and December last year, 369,114 cattle were shipped from North Australia. The mortality rate was 40, which is a percentage of 0.01 per cent.”

DAWR statement

In a statement provided to Beef Central on Wednesday afternoon, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources said the process of placing independent observers has been underway since the Minister announced in April that observers would accompany future export voyages.

“The Minister announced in April this year that an independent observer would accompany every voyage carrying either sheep or cattle. The department is implementing this decision, already having placed observers on a number of high risk voyages,” the DAWR statement said.

“Information received from independent observers, including footage, is supporting verification and compliance activities.

 “The specifics of the ongoing program are still being developed. Costs are being worked on and discussed with industry.”

Northern Territory Livestock Export Association chair David Warriner said cattle exporters supported moves to strengthen transparency throughout their supply chains and welcomed the Federal Government’s efforts to see this implemented.

“Nonetheless, clarity is needed regarding the introduction of independent observers on livestock vessels,” he said.

“Exporters and producers share significant concerns about the extra costs to be absorbed by industry because of the introduction of the Observers, as well as the relevant qualifications and experience of those employed as observers and the reporting protocols in place, subsequent to a voyage.

“Very practical questions about who is responsible for the independent observers, what their day-to-day activities will be, and how they will be accommodated on board also need to be discussed further.

“Welfare management must be considered, especially if an observer, who is working at arm’s length from daily livestock management, is taking the bed and lifeboat space of a ‘hands on’ accredited stockman.

“Exporters remain committed to improving transparency in support of a sustainable livestock export trade. With this in mind, we have conveyed to the Federal Government the need for changes to the industry to be implemented in a way that doesn’t unnecessarily compromise welfare outcomes or market competitiveness.”

NT Buffalo Industry Council: ‘oberservers provide no discernable benefit’

NT Buffalo Industry Council vice president Michael Swart said there clear and established role definitions and protocols for accredited veterinarians and stock persons on cattle and buffalo livestock vessels.

“These existing personnel accompanying cattle and buffalo on voyages are appropriately trained, qualified and doing their jobs effectively, as the extremely low mortality rates show.

“There are no discernible benefits to be derived from imposing independent observers on livestock vessels across the board. Instead, there is much to lose. This proposal would add an unnecessary regulatory and financial burden on livestock producers. It assumes the industry is the same across all animal species and it is not.

“The NTBIC supports strategies for continuous improvement, but the suggestion to have Independent Observers on all vessels is ill-conceived and simply cannot be supported.”

Source: NT Government