The RSPCA today welcomed the announcement by the Australian Government, that it will establish a skills-based technical committee to oversee the review of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL).
RSPCA Australia Senior Policy Officer Dr Jed Goodfellow said, "While the RSPCA is opposed to exporting animals live for slaughter due to the inherent welfare risks, we will always embrace any opportunity to improve animal welfare standards while the trade continues,"
"It is critical the review is based on sound and impartial assessment of the latest animal welfare science and a commitment to improving animal welfare outcomes within the trade," he said.
"Selecting the right personnel for this task will be crucial to the effectiveness and integrity of the review process,
"The review is long overdue as the current 2011 version of the ASEL are based on outdated animal welfare science around stocking densities and bedding provisions, and fail to ensure people handling animals are aware of their legal responsibilities and have the competency to carry them out,
"A review of the ASEL was conducted in 2012 but successive governments have failed to implement the recommended changes,
"The RSPCA hopes this process will lead to real improvements in animal welfare outcomes and looks forward to participating in the review process," said Dr Goodfellow.
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