Everyone involved in the Australian livestock export industry, including exporters, producers, farming families and rural communities, cares deeply about the welfare of Australian animals. 

That is why the industry actively invests time and money into improving animal welfare standards from the farms where our animals are raised, to the ships they are transported on and the overseas markets where they are sold.

The industry operates to world-best standards, and is one of the most highly regulated industries in the world. 

Animals are well cared for onboard livestock export vessels, with all vessels required to meet rigorous standards covering everything from animals’ access to food and drink, constant monitoring of their wellbeing, the size of their pens and vessel ventilation. 

The industry also employs highly trained stockmen to accompany all voyages overseas, ensuring the animals are just as healthy when they arrive at their destination as they were at the beginning of the journey. Government accredited veterinarians also accompany all voyages to the Middle East.

The industry is also committed to improving animal welfare standards in the countries we export our animals to. This includes employing a team of Australian animal welfare specialists to ensure that our animals are well cared for upon arrival in the Middle East, as well as providing training and education programs for local feedlot operators, stockmen and port staff. The industry also invests in infrastructure and facility upgrades across the Middle East and Asia.

This work has greatly improved standards for not only Australian animals, but also for local animals and other animals imported from other countries.

Australia is the only country making this kind of investment. By being involved in the trade we send an important message internationally about how deeply we care about the welfare of our animals, and, at the same time, setting the standard for other countries to aspire to.