Publication of new contingency plan policy for livestock consignments to the Middle East

Attention

• Accredited veterinarians
• Australian Livestock Exporters' Council
• Departmental officers
• LiveCorp
• Livestock exporters
• Meat and Livestock Australia

Purpose

To inform stakeholders of the publication of a new Contingency plans for livestock consignments to the Middle East policy.

Key points

• The policy outlines the contingency plan requirements for livestock consignments exported by sea for discharge at ports in
  • Israel (accessed via the Red Sea or Mediterranean Sea), and
  • Jordan or Saudi Arabia (accessed via the Red Sea).
• Exporters must prepare a detailed and demonstrably viable contingency plan for all consignments travelling to these markets. The plan must be presented to the department at the time of submission of the notice of intention to export livestock (NOI).
• The department may require this policy to apply to other ports or markets in the wider Middle East region if there are changes to the security situation.
• The policy formalises the requirements that were outlined to industry via an email on 18 January 2024.

Background

• In accordance with standard 4.1.18 of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock, exporters are required to prepare written contingency plans that address various potential scenarios for all livestock consignments exported by sea.
• During assessment of an NOI, the department considers relevant information from a range of sources. When considering the approval of an NOI, the delegate must be satisfied (among other things) under section 8-6 of the Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021 that
  • the arrangements for the transport of the livestock to their final overseas destination are appropriate to ensure their health and welfare
  • an approved exporter supply chain assurance system (ESCAS) is in force for consignments containing feeder and slaughter livestock.