Pause on independent observer deployments to the Middle East

Attention

• Australian Livestock Exporters' Council
• LiveCorp
• Livestock Exporters
• Meat and Livestock Australia

Purpose

To inform exporters that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has paused the deployment of independent observers on livestock vessels to all countries in the Middle East region due to the currently uncertain security situation.

Key points

• The department has temporarily paused the deployment of observers on voyages carrying Australian livestock to all ports in the Middle East region as of 9 October 2023 due to the changing and uncertain security conditions.
• The department will continue to monitor the safety and practicality of international travel for observers when deciding to deploy
• Exporters sending consignments of livestock to Middle East ports may expect a direction to undertake additional reporting in lieu of observer deployment

Instructions

1. Exporters will be contacted by the department on a consignment-by-consignment basis.
2. Directions currently in place for observers to accompany consignments of livestock destined for Middle East ports will be revoked and relevant exporters notified.

• The department administers an independent observer (observer) program for livestock export voyages by sea to provide additional assurance on the effectiveness of exporter arrangements in managing animal welfare.
• The role of an observer is to monitor, observe and report on activities in approved export programs for the purpose of ensuring the health and welfare of live animals in the course of export activities. Observers do not have an active role in livestock activities during a voyage.