Agriculture Minister Tony Burke today announced four new projects under the Live Animal Trade Program, which funds training, education and infrastructure improvements in overseas ports that process Australia’s live animal exports.
The livestock export industry has agreed to provide additional funding to support some of these projects.
The projects will deliver:
• Infrastructure upgrades and technical assistance on animal handling and processing standards for unloading ports in Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar.
• Low-stress animal handling and transport training for stock handlers at feedlots and ports in Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Egypt.
• New standard operating procedures for the training of those involved in livestock handling and slaughter in Asia; and
• Upgrades to unloading facilities, the installation of new animal restraint boxes and new stunning equipment to improve animal welfare outcomes in Vietnam.
"The Government wants to ensure Australia remains a world leader in animal welfare for live exports, by continuing to work in partnership with other countries," Mr Burke said in a statement.
"These grants represent further important investments in infrastructure and training to help reduce animals’ stress and educate handlers."
He said the Government had now approved projects worth more than $2.4 million under the program which was given a four-year, $7.6 million extension in 2008.
The live animal export industry generates revenue of more than $900 million annually and supported more than 10,000 rural and regional jobs, Mr Burke said.
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