Multiple standards currently apply to the export of Australian livestock by air. Exporters must comply with the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) as well as regulations for livestock movement applied by the International Aviation Transport Association (IATA). The requirements of these standards vary, which can make full compliance difficult.
This project seeks to understand and identify opportunities to harmonise the air freight standards to streamline regulatory compliance and ensure transparency in animal welfare compliance throughout the supply chain.
The objectives of this project are to:
identify and map the requirements for ASEL 3.2 and IATA for the export of cattle, sheep and goats by air
identify the requirements of livestock exporters to meet regulatory requirements of both standards
establish the scientific basis for points of difference identified between standards (through scientific literature review), including determining where requirements do not have a scientific basis
describe the future risks and trajectory of standards through a comparison to other international standards (such as OIE guidelines)
create educational materials for better understanding and adoption of welfare requirements.
The project will support a risk-based regulatory approach to livestock export to ensure a high level of compliance with domestic and international air freight standards. This will ensure that high levels of animal health and welfare outcomes can continue to be maintained.