Reviews

To review the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s effectiveness in administering the legislation and standards, including the performance of functions and exercise of powers, in relation to the welfare of livestock in the export supply chain prior to departing Australia.
The review focused on:

• the effectiveness of the department’s regulatory oversight during the preparation phases of the export process
• the systems, guidance and information that support all participants in understanding the livestock preparation process
• the level of compliance with Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) and the management of animals rejected from the export supply chain
• how ASEL and regulatory decision-making take animal welfare into account
• the critical control points that address risks prior to embarkation and/or contribute to risks further in the export supply chain, with a particular emphasis on animal health and welfare
• what, if any improvements, should be made to the current arrangements?

To identify opportunities to strengthen arrangements and preparedness activities of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) for responding to notifiable incidents, as defined in the ASEL 3.3 Sections 5.6.5 and 6.11.1. It also seeks to address major and critical non-compliance within the approved Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS). This includes the department’s consideration of animal welfare.

The review examined the effectiveness of the department’s systems and processes for responding to significant livestock export incidents that engage either local or broader departmental incident management processes, and includes:

• notifiable incidents as defined in ASEL
• major and critical ESCAS non-compliance
• livestock export incidents that may or may not have breached a set standard or met a notifiable threshold
• what, if any, improvements could be made?

This system level review will assess the structure, efficiency and effectiveness of Australia’s regulatory framework for livestock exports. It is set within the context of the Australian Government’s decision to phase out live sheep exports by sea and the potential for adjustments to the current regulatory framework post 1 May 2028. 

The review will consider the effectiveness of the Commonwealth systems for the administration of livestock exports – including legislation, standards and the department’s role. There will be a particular focus on cost efficiency, risk-based and proportional regulation, consistency and clarity of accountabilities.

It will also assess how the framework supports animal welfare, market access and public confidence while minimising regulatory burden

This review to consider the effectiveness of ASEL to support minimum animal health and welfare conditions (including five domains) for exported livestock. 

The review could examine what the measurements and parameters the department uses to assess animal health and welfare? What major changes to ASEL have occurred to improve animal welfare. Have they improved? Interpretation of ASEL standards. Does ASEL focus on process rather than outcome?

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