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Australian Live Sheep Exports To The Middle East
The live export of sheep from Australia to the Middle East is vitally important to the food security of the region, with Australian sheep providing an affordable and secure source of protein for communities in the region. In addition to live sheep exports, the Middle East also imports frozen and chilled sheep meat products from Australia. These products can be found in supermarkets and restaurants, whereas the meat from Australian sheep processed in the Middle East is sold through wet markets, which is the traditional way that meat is purchased by poorer people in the community. Exporting live sheep from Australia is also very important to the Australian economy, particularly to rural and regional areas where people rely on the trade for their livelihood. The live sheep export trade provides sheep producers with an additional market for their sheep, ensuring they get good prices for the livestock they work hard to produce. Each year the Australian live sheep export industry invests money into improving animal welfare in the Middle East. This includes funding full time staff based in the Middle East and expert consultants who travel to the Middle East to upgrade facilities such as feedlots, ports and abattoirs, as well as to provide sheep handling training. This work is funded by Australian sheep producers and live sheep exporters, whose levies go towards making these improvements each year. The Australian Government also contributes funds through the Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership. The live sheep export industry also invests in a research and development program that covers on-farm, the export process and in-market. When sheep arrive in the Middle East they are unloaded at ports that have been inspected by the live sheep export industry to ensure they are suitable for discharge of Australian sheep. If they are not suitable the industry will assist the importing country to upgrade their facilities. After arrival sheep are transported to shaded feedlots, where they are cared for by staff trained by the Australian industry. At these feedlots sheep are provided with quality feed and have constant access to fresh water. The Australian live sheep export industry also funds improvements to these feedlots, including the installation of shade and upgrading of water and feeding systems. When it is time for processing, Australian sheep are transported to abattoirs that have also been upgraded by the Australian industry. Training is provided to staff at these abattoirs, and specialised equipment to assist local staff to process Australian sheep in accordance with the internationally recognised World Organisation for Animal Health standards is also installed. Each year facilities in the Middle East are assessed by the Australian live sheep export industry, and awards are given to the importing companies that have most improved their facilities and operational systems throughout the year. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com For 200 years, livestock production has helped shaped this nation. So successful has it been that today the beef exportindustry represents more than half the beef and livestock we produce. To learn more about the live export industry, please visit www.liveexportcare.com.au |
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