29 June 2011

2 minute read

Oceania

The industry has established a welfare contingency fund for the cattle held up in pre-export facilities.

The fund aims to ensure that there are no adverse welfare impacts for those cattle that were destined for live export but could not be shipped because of the suspension of trade.

The A$5 million has been approved by the Board of the Cattle Disease Contingency Fund Trust for the specific purpose of addressing health and welfare issues.

The fund comes from residual levies from the producers.

The money can be use to:

• transport animals to the nearest market point
• cover costs associated with any regulatory requirements to move the cattle
• animal husbandry costs including feed, animal health and biosecurity treatments.

The Cattle Council said owners are being urged to make all reasonable efforts to move their cattle from the holding points as son as possible and to find the most cost effective ways of handling the situation.

The owners of the cattle affected by the export band are being contacted and invited to submit applications for funds.

CDFC chairman and Cattle Council representative on the board, Paul Saward said: "The welfare of cattle stranded is of significant concern.

"We see this decision to make funds available as the CDFC coming to the aid of the norther cattle industry.

"These are difficult times. It is now prudent for industry funds to be made available, assisting those industry stakeholders, who now own cattle during these times of great uncertainty.

"Further to the immediate objective of assisting with the movement of cattle from pre-export facilities, Cattle Council will maintain close communication with its members to ensure that if any on-farm welfare impacts arise, we can assist where possible.

"This is a positive development. It is another important step towards resumption of this important export market, one that is critical to Australia's northern regions," Sr Saward said.

TheCattleSite News Desk