RSPCA Australia is demanding immediate action be taken by the government following revelations more Australian animals have suffered as a result of the live export trade.
Last week it was more than ten thousand sheep in Jordan, today footage of Australian bulls suffering brutal treatment in Mauritius has surfaced, again a result of being illegally on-sold outside of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS).
“ESCAS was put in place to protect our animals, something it has so clearly failed to do in Jordan, and now in Mauritius. These breaches are making a mockery of the system and its regulator, the Department of Agriculture, which has yet to take action to penalise exporters who fail to comply,” said Dr Bidda Jones, Chief Scientist, RSPCA Australia.
“Identifiable as Australian by their ear tags, the bulls in Mauritius were tormented, abused and suffered enormously."
This cruelty highlights yet again the inherent risks of live export and the need for investments to be made to allow Australia to transition to a meat-only trade.
“At a time when welfare regulations are clearly failing our animals, it’s shocking that the Government has today announced it will be scrapping the Australian Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AusAWAC).
“AusAWAC represents a wide range of stakeholders with knowledge and expertise across key animal welfare issues. The Committee advises the Minister for Agriculture and drives the implementation of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy.
“Without the Committee, what will happen to the Strategy and, importantly, where does this leave the Australian Government’s commitment to improve the welfare of animals?” said Dr Jones.
Media contact: Elise Meakin, 0419 748 907, [email protected].
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