http://www.abc.net.au/rural/qld/content/2007/s2154002.htm

RSPCA claims live export trade lacks enforceable standards
By Liz Rodway

Monday, 04/02/2008

The RSCPA is today claiming the Australian standards for the export of live animals are flawed and the trade needs to stop.

The animal welfare organisation will release a report today outlining why the live export trade is not world's best practice.

Chief scientist with the RSPCA Bidda Jones says the live export sector has had 10 years to get the industry right but the standards that exist are not working.

The Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock were developed in consultation with industry and state, territory and federal governments and cover selection of animals on farm right through to conditions on boats.

Bidda Jone says the RSPCA found in it's analysis of the standards and the report published by MLA that the majority of standards can't be properly enforced under current arrangements, many of the standards are unmeasurable so therefore unenforceable and the process lacks transparency, reporting and feedback to live exporters.

"AQIS (Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service) ... has powers under specific legislation, but it doesn't really have a role in enforcing standards in terms of the onfarm selection of animals for export, or the land transport of animals from the property of origin," she says.

Please click on link for full story
Thank You CJ Are you sure that was what was said?
I would be interested to confirm that if you heard correctly.

Perhaps the name was Beattie? Are you sure he didnt say MLA claim they are the best standards in the world.

Maybe Nicky would try to check that out if possible- (only Asking If you could if you have the time)
Interstate tommorrow.
What do you think of the resport Yabby?
As a person who is involved inthe live animal trade does this report
give you some new concern as to how your own animals are treated

Hi all

The way I heard it, the RSPCA is saying that the ALES are "bogus" - I think the report is available at the RSCPA National website, but I got it through the link at FarmOnLine. It's 16 pages. There are reports about it at www.liveexportshame.com from FarmOnLine and the ABC.

I'd be really surprised to hear that anyone in the RSPCA would be saying any different - especially Queensland and especially Michael Beatty, from what I've heard about him.

The report addresses the poor science, research and methodology of the ASEL, and says, quite rightly, that in MLA's report on this from 2006, they make a number of claims, based on poor scientific methofologies, that cannot be substantiated, they are self-regulating, and the infrastructure is not there to enforce them anyway, as we have seen to be the case. The standards are flawed for those reasons. There is no Commonwealth animal protection law by which to enforce them, and state laws are not the right framework for this purpose. They also point out that breaches are virtually unmonitored, and go unpunished because there is no stated penalty/sanction regime.

The report only (as far as I can tell) addresses until the animals are on ships, then it is pointed out that nothing can be done for them (that is, it does not address their fate in importing countries (that's a bit of a brief summary).

Cheers
Nicky

http://www.rspcaqld.org.au/news/campaigns.htm

http://www.rspcaqld.org.au/campaigns/liveexporttrade/

http://qcl.farmonline.com.au/news_daily.asp?ag_id=48383

RSPCA Australia; People Against Live Exports Exports in conjunction with RSPCA Qld and the ...
http://consciousevolution.com/onshu/view_signatures.php

Click on link below for full farm online story
http://qcl.farmonline.com.au/news_daily.asp?ag_id=48383

Breaking Rural News : LIVESTOCK

RSPCA attacks live-ex industry's "bogus standards"
Monday, 4 February 2008

The RSPCA has accused Australia's live animal export industry of operating under "bogus standards" because they cannot be effectively enforced under current arrangements.
But the claim has been vehemently rejected by Meat and Livestock Australia, which describes the RSPCA attack as "puzzling" given the success of the live export standards in delivering more than 99pc of cattle safely to their destination.

The row was sparked today when RSPCA chief scientist, Dr Bidda Jones, used a media release to claim the live export industry and the Federal Government had been boasting without grounds that Australia's standards for live exports were world-best practice.

However, the RSPCA claims the report failed to identify that ASEL is flawed on a number of levels, including:

But MLA general manager of livestock exports, Scott Hansen, said they were "bewildering statements from the RSPCA" given that the animal welfare group sits on the ASEL committee which draws up the standards.

pale comments on MLA

Perhaps MLA would like to explain their a comment when remarking on assistance to increase the red meat chilled trade bt a co joint venture betwen Muslim buyers and Aussie Farmers= WE couldnt do that- Thats Mark Vailes baby- He personally sells ship loads of live sheep direct from the Australian Government to Kwaite Government.

Ot Ian Ross head of MLA ME might like to explain his comments that there wouldnt be doing anything that might be seen to be in direct compertition to the live trade.

When will MLA treat all business proposals and companies in the same manner as the cruel live exporters

Will Minister Burke and Rudd give this urgent attention?
WE cant have others standing in the way and playing bully over RSPCA= The Australian public will not tolerate it

Goodmorning all

Nicky we hadnt planned on starting the RSPCA MLA debate on the forum until next week.
We wanted to give RSPCA National office time to do their M.R. before hand.
However we have started another thread under RSPCA Heading.

It would be good if it were possible we could support the RSPCA against MLA in a 'united manner.

I will be back and forth interstate over the next few days and would welcome you keeping an eye out over the thread if you feel inclined.
Of course that is completly up to yourself.

I think its important that everybody drop the veggie Verses reopening plants argument and support the RSPCA.

I hope you agree.
Yabby I hope you wil also contribute and we look forward to your response.

Hi PALE - apologies, I must've heard it incorrectly. I had the radio on in the background at work and I was a bit busy at the time.

Morgan
No apology required. You came into the thread with good intentions and we appreciate it.