Issues and programs: Live export

Live goat exports

Australia has reinforced its position as the globally preferred supplier of quality live goats. Goats are exported from Australia according to worlds best practice to various countries with the vast majority going to Malaysia and Singapore via aircraft and ship. Australia exports about 40 – 50,000 goats per year.

Renewed interest from Malaysia

Malaysia has traditionally been an important live export market for the Australian goat industry. The majority, about 90%, of the goats exported to Malaysia are destined for slaughter however recent interest in breeder animals has added a new and important dimension to the market.

This interest has come through the stimulus provided by a 5-year economic plan, known as the 9th Malaysian Plan, which was introduced in Malaysia in April 2006. Under this plan, Malaysia is committed to pursuing goat production self sufficiency through the importation of breeding does.

The breeding stock buying criteria is currently limited to Boer and Boer cross goats that demonstrate good characteristics, including colour, however an adequate supply of these animals is proving to be hard to come by.

Tight supply means good prices and this has been reflected in record sale yard prices, particularly for Boer goats. Demand for well bred and finished animals is expected to persist in the short term.

Australia’s world’s best practice for live export and attention to animal welfare are helping to reinforce this trade.

For further information about Australia’s trade with Malaysia and their developing industry visit the ABC Landline website.

Australia - World Leaders in Livestock Export

Australia is recognized as the world leaders in the export of livestock. This is due to a national inquiry initiated in 2003 (the Keniry Report) which made the following eight recommendations, all of which were implemented by the end of 2004:

1. Veterinarians to be on ships for all long haul voyages (for example, to the Middle East).
2. The development of new national animal welfare regulations, requirements and standards.
3. Increased government involvement in regulatory control (including unannounced audits and inspections).
4. The introduction of an individual consignment risk management approach for all shipments which will ensure that all potential risks affecting animal care are minimised.
5. Upgrade of assembly depots.
6. Progress on the establishment of formal agreements with the importing country.
7. Governments in the Middle Eastern/North Africa region to supervise the discharge of all consignments.
8. A further A$1 million a year investment in improving animal welfare outcomes in the Middle East.

For further information on how Australia cares for its livestock exports visit www.liveexportcare.com

Your role as a producer

Australian producers have an important role to play in the presentation of animals for live export and this necessitates careful long term planning.

Producers must identify the market they wish to supply and investigate the requirements for that market. All live export markets require that various on-farm practices are observed. These are covered in the specific country protocols and in the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock.