Abstract
Simple SummaryThe live animal export industry is under increasing public scrutiny to ensure optimal animal welfare conditions are met. To date, the main animal-based welfare indicator used to review and regulate this industry has been mortality. For a proactive industry wanting to transition to reporting on animal welfare not mortality, a broader suite of measures is needed. We reviewed a total of 71 potential animal welfare measures, identifying those measures that would be appropriate for use throughout the live export chain for feeder and slaughter livestock animals, and categorised these as animal-, environment- and resource-based. After considering the industry-specific constraints for animal welfare assessments, measures were categorised according to their application to the three identified sectors of the live export industry. We identified measures already undertaken or that are relevant for specific situations as part of the industry. Further research is currently underway to validate the applicability and value of these measures.Animal welfare is an important issue for the live export industry (LEI), in terms of economic returns, community attitudes and international socio-political relations. Mortality has traditionally been the main welfare measure recorded within the LEI; however, high mortality incidents are usually acted upon after adverse events occur, reducing the scope for proactive welfare enhancement. We reviewed 71 potential animal welfare measures, identifying those measures that would be appropriate for use throughout the LEI for feeder and slaughter livestock species, and categorised these as animal-, environment- and resource-based. We divided the live export supply chain into three sectors: (1) Australian facilities, (2) vessel and (3) destination country facilities. After reviewing the relevant regulations for each sector of the industry, we identified 38 (sector 1), 35 (sector 2) and 26 (sector 3) measures already being collected under current practice. These could be used to form a ‘welfare information dashboard’: a LEI-specific online interface for collecting data that could contribute towards standardised industry reporting. We identified another 20, 25 and 28 measures that are relevant to each LEI sector (sectors 1, 2, 3, respectively), and that could be developed and integrated into a benchmarking system in the future.
Highlights
Over recent years, there has been an increase in concern from the general community regarding animal welfare in livestock production [1,2]
We have reviewed a range of potential animal welfare measures, identifying (I) those that are already undertaken by the live export industry (LEI), (II) those animal welfare measures that are relevant to the industry but are not required to be recorded under current Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) v2.3 (2011) regulations and (III) those that have limited application for day-to-day management but are more likely to be used for specific situations
Current LEI welfare assessments are focussed around mortality, morbidity, environmental measures and the resources provided to animals
Summary
There has been an increase in concern from the general community regarding animal welfare in livestock production [1,2]. We have reviewed a range of potential animal welfare measures, identifying (I) those that are already undertaken by the LEI, (II) those animal welfare measures that are relevant to the industry but are not required to be recorded under current Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) v2.3 (2011) regulations and (III) those that have limited application for day-to-day management but are more likely to be used for specific situations (e.g., research, sentinel animals) These findings are summarised in a table listing 71 potential animal welfare measures that address the 12 welfare criteria and 4 welfare principles identified by the European Union’s Welfare Quality audit.
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