Breeder market opens to Egypt

Continuing the push to reopen livestock export markets, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has today announced that breeder cattle, sheep and goats can now be exported to Egypt along with feeder and slaughter livestock.

The Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) does not apply to breeding livestock as no "line of sight" can be guaranteed over an animal's lifetime, but Australian Live Exporters' Council (ALEC) chief executive officer Alison Penfold said the industry was working hard to ensure good welfare outcomes for exported Australian breeder and dairy cattle.

"There is a lot more happening than us just putting breeder cattle on a boat or plane," she said.

ALEC plans to introduce a statutory levy on dairy and breeder livestock to provide the industry with more funds and dedicated resources to welfare issues.

The Industry Government Implementation Group (IGIG) - in response to the Farmer Review - recommended in April 2013 that additional conditions be implemented to protect the welfare of breeder exports: "it is reasonable that Australian exporters of breeder livestock confirm that the conditions... provide for their welfare".