![Muslim worshippers spill over onto the road outside Lakemba Mosque to pray on the day that they celebrate Eid Al Ad-Ha, also known as The Festival of Sacrifice. File photo. Photograph Steven Siewert Muslim worshippers spill over onto the road outside Lakemba Mosque to pray on the day that they celebrate Eid Al Ad-Ha, also known as The Festival of Sacrifice. File photo. Photograph Steven Siewert](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/9kyzP9Zutm5XFVsqvLWUBX/18429218-3224-4a32-96ab-5cbda2a667dc.jpg/r0_0_2464_1648_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
AUSTRALIAN livestock exporters in the Middle East have identified Australian sheep outside of approved supply chains during the Islamic festival of sacrifice, Eid Al-Adha.
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The Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System requirements forbid Australian livestock from being sold outside of approved supply chains and cannot be purchased for home slaughter or for slaughter at facilities that have not been approved as meeting international animal welfare standards.
Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council chief executive Simon Westaway said the Department of Agriculture had been advised of a number of leakages outside of ESCAS approved supply chains in recent days.
“Such leakage, while reflecting the commercial desperation of local traders to offer Australian sheep to the public, undermines the significant collaborative efforts of exporters in the market to develop the special livestock management systems for Eid,” Mr Westaway said.
The news comes as Animal Australia releases information on breaches of Australian live export regulations in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Malaysia and Lebannon.
According to the group, the major livestock markets in Dubai, Sharjah and Al Ain were all selling Australian sheep for home slaughter, despite having been the subject of numerous complaints to the Department of Agriculture.
In Kuwait, Al Rai livestock market was selling Australian sheep despite eight previous complaints. “Australian sheep have suffered illegal and brutal slaughter at this market every year since regulations were introduced yet exporters are still permitted to send animals to the region during this high-risk period,” the statement said.
In Malaysia, Animals Australia’s Lyn White reported widespread breaches relating to Australian sheep, goats and cattle.
“Exporter personnel were meant to be in all markets so it is completely unacceptable to again see Australian sheep available for sale in known high risk livestock markets,” Ms White said.
Meanwhile, Mr Westaway said the industry would review its supply chain systems at the conclusion of Eid and continue to implement measures that prevent Australian sheep from being removed illegally from supply chains, not just during Eid but at any time of year.
“There has been a genuine collaborative effort in the supply chain to drive locals to source Australian sheep slaughtered under the best halal slaughter conditions that meet international animal welfare standards,” he said.
“There is clearly more to be done and we’ll continue to work in-market with our supply chain partners because collaboration is proven to be the driver of improvements in traceability and animal welfare.”
In a statement released by ALEC, the industry group stated special livestock control systems were implemented for Australian sheep in Middle East markets, over and above ESCAS requirements, to support the traditional rite to sacrifice animals as part of the Eid Al Adha festival.
Mr Westaway said exporters had been proactive in monitoring markets in recent days in an effort to detect any Australian sheep outside of approved supply chains.
He also said third-party reports of supply chain leakages, including in Malaysia, would be investigated by the industry.
Mr Westaway said proactive reporting of leakage and other compliance issues by exporters was playing a vital role upholding the integrity of ESCAS.
“The latest Regulatory Performance Report, published last week by DAWR, includes a number of reviews detailing reports of ESCAS non-compliance involving Australian sheep in Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates,” he said.
“The report is a timely reminder that ESCAS is working and that there is a greater level of transparency, accountability and self-reporting by exporters than ever before.
“It is also a reminder that ESCAS breaches, especially supply chain leakage, is a constant risk in the Middle East and that we must remain vigilant at all times.”