Senior public servant Steve McCutcheon will chair a comprehensive review of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL), Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud announced this morning.

Mr Littleproud said Mr McCutcheon, a former rural banker and senior public servant, brings more than 30 years experience in agriculture and food policy to the role.

Mr McCutcheon is Chair of Plant Health Australia and was CEO of Food Standards Australia New Zealand from 2007 to 2017.

Mr Littleproud said the ASEL review will ensure changes to the standards are informed by the best evidence.

“The review began in January. I decided not long after becoming Minister to bring the review’s deadline forward from the end of 2019 to the end of this year.

“Mr McCutcheon will lead the committee as it finalises the ASEL review, supported by the other members with expertise across animal health and welfare, regulation and the livestock industry.”

Stage one of the ASEL review included public consultation to seek feedback on draft reformatted standards and to identify key issues for the review to address. The next stage will include the release of an issues paper and consultation to seek feedback from stakeholders. The ASEL Review is also required to make recommendations not inconsistent with the standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health.

The comprehensive review was in addition to the short, sharp review by Dr Michael McCarthy of the sheep trade during the northern summer. For more information on the ASEL review, visit http://www.agriculture.gov.au/ animal/welfare/export-trade/ review-asel

The members of the Technical Advisory Committee are:

Dr Teresa Collins – animal health and welfare expert
Dr Hugh Millar – animal health and welfare expert
Russell Phillips – regulation specialist
Kevin Shiell – livestock export industry expert.