RSPCA push for Australia’s southern live cattle trade to be reviewed

Animal welfare organisation RSPCA is urging the Federal Government to review Australia’s southern live cattle trade, warning livestock face high humidity, freezing temperatures and squalid pens during shipments. However, Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council is confident the latest Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock review, released last week, has addressed RSPCA’s concerns. RSPCA senior policy officer Jed Goodfellow told Countryman Independent Observer reports of live cattle voyages from the nation’s south, mainly from Portland in Victoria to China, were subject to tough conditions. He noted some cattle voyages from Portland to China across 2018 and last year had experienced temperatures exceeding 31C wet-bulb and 90 per cent humidity, with one shipment also having near-freezing temperatures. Bos Taurus cattle — such as Holstein Friesian, Angus and Jersey cattle — are at greater risk of heat-stress than Bos indicus breeds, including Brahman. Although the mortality rates during the shipments flagged by RSPCA were low, Dr Goodfellow said Bos taurus breeds shipped — which are best suited to Australia’s cooler regions — struggled after passing over the equator. “Generally, Bos taurus breeds don’t travel well through the equator and will be the first to experience heat-stress,” he said. “Once they’re through the equator, they start entering into cold climates with sub-zero temperatures. “They go from temperatures in the 30Cs with high humidity and in a matter of days they’re in sub-zero temperatures at northern Chinese ports — it is a major stressor on the animals. “The pen conditions are in several inches of sloppy faeces during stages of the voyage, too.” A voyage conducted by the MV Ocean Ute departed Portland on November 22, 2018, carrying 5606 breeder cattle en route for Tianjin, China. The vessel arrived at the Chinese port on December 13, 2018, with a 0.84 per cent mortality rate after 47 deaths. It did not exceed the reportable mortality rate of one per cent for cattle on a voyage of over 10 days, but Dr Goodfellow said it was concerning cattle were subject to a wide variation of weather during the voyage. The weather during loading at Portland was wet and cold, with the temperature less than 10C. After departing, the temperature and humidity increased as the vessel travelled north and reached a maximum of 86 per cent, in conjunction with 32C heat, on the sixth day. The Independent Observer reported the initial pen wash occurred on day 10 and improved the conditions for the cattle. As the MV Ocean Ute neared China after 15 days sailing, the temperature decreased on a daily basis and by day 17, the temperature on the deck was at about zero. The heat and humidity, followed by subsequent cold temperatures, “appeared to adversely affect the health of some of the cattle, particularly those in poorer condition”, the Independent Observer said. Dr Goodfellow said the impact of the varying weather conditions on cattle should prompt the Federal Government to review the live cattle export trade from Australia’s south. “Because recent focus has been on sheep, we haven’t seen shipping reforms applying to cattle,” he said. “RSPCA calls for the Federal Government to prioritise a review of heat-stress and general shipping conditions for southern breed cattle exported over the equator.” ALEC chief executive Mark Harvey-Sutton said the shipments RSPCA had referred to took place more than a year ago. He added the Federal Government’s draft ASEL 3.0 review, which was released last week and scheduled to be legislated by November 1, noted Bos Taurus breeds were at greater risk of heat stress than Bos indicus cattle. “I point out that those voyages were some time ago and the industry has made some significant steps since then,” Mr Harvey-Sutton said. “We are always open to reviewing things, but it should be noted the draft ASEL review has been completed and that is going to be implemented in six months time. “As part of that process, the southern breed shipments were reviewed. “We base our decisions on science and ASEL has outlined steps for the industry ... industry is continuing to do significant work regarding heat-stress and we welcome dialogue with RSPCA on the issue.” The latest ASEL review proposed shipping standards should prevent Bos taurus cattle from southern Australia being sourced for voyages that will cross the equator between May 1 to October 31, inclusive. Until the heat stress risk assessment model has been further developed to include all destinations across the equator, the provision should continue to apply to the Middle East, the document recommended. Dr Goodfellow contacted Countryman after it was reported this month that Chinese demand for dairy heifers had spurred live dairy cattle exports from Australia to soar 73 per cent to 107,000 head last year. Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud was contacted for comment.