Aust Vet J Vol 81, No 7, July 2003388

News

Livestock Export Industry Consultative CommitteeBy Kevin Doyle

Successive governments and parliamentary reviews haverecognised that because of the cultural aspects of the tradeit is not yet feasible to send only meat to many markets.

AVA policy supports the export trade of live sheep and cattleprovided:

• The livestock export accreditation program (LEAP) standards,developed by LiveCorp on behalf the meat and livestockindustry, are strictly enforced and subject to regular review incollaboration with the veterinary profession

• The industry makes further conservative efforts to safeguardthe welfare of animals up to and at the time of slaughter inimporting countries.

The AVA has worked hard to contribute to improvements in thewelfare of animals being exported. AVA members, practitionersand government veterinarians are involved in field and policyelements of the trade. AVA sought representation on the groupsthat supervise and monitor the trade. It is not possible for AVAto provide its members’ expertise or comment on animal welfareissues without access to timely information.These efforts culminated in the appointment of Dr Kevin Doyleto the Livestock Export Industry Consultative Committee.Other AVA members contribute to working groups.LEICC was formed late in 2002 to act as the peak industryconsultative group with AQIS and the other stakeholders,

progress strategic imperatives identified in the action plan for thelivestock export industry, provide a conduit for informationexchange, and report on progress to the minister and otherstakeholders.LEICC has developed a comprehensive action plan that coversservice delivery, resources and fees; the legislative andadministrative framework, incident and emergencymanagement, the AQIS-accredited veterinarian (AAV) program;development of risk analysis principles for preparation of exportconsignments and criteria for the registration of export premises.LEICC is working on export certification, mortality reportingand compliance, and is also apprised of progress being made byLiveCorp in the post-arrival handling of animals overseas.AVA supported the minister’s decisions to withdraw exportlicences from companies which he had determined were notcomplying with export standards, and to suspend the export ofcattle from southern Australia during the winter into thenorthern summer. This trade had experienced unacceptablelosses in several shipments. LEICC has monitored two projectsdesigned to mitigate risks associated with winter trade to theMiddle East. One project involves risk assessment in relation toheat stress. The other relates to pre-export feedlots to addressrisks from salmonellosis.

R E P O R T

Cairns photo gallery

Police line up? No, a distinguished group of veterinaryassociation Presidents! From left, Dr Jeanne Lofstedt(Canada); Professor Bani Penzhorn (South Africa); Dr Jo Toia(Australia); Dr Lewis Griffiths (NZ); Dr Joe Howell (US); and DrPeter Jinman (UK).

A last outing in the robes of office for Dr Jo Toia (L), as shehands the Presidency on to Dr Jo Sillince.

Like father, like daughter: Amy Aspley-Davis and Dr JohnAspley-Davis are both active within AVA, Amy as a StudentRepresentative at the University of Sydney, and John overmany years with the ACT Division.

Plenary speaker the Hon. John Kerin presents WA DivisionVice-President Dr Michael Lumsden with an AVA MeritoriousService Award. Mike was one of ten people at Cairns to behonoured in this way.