AUSTRALIA'S agriculture minister Senator Joe Ludwig is visiting the Middle East to discuss international standards to slaughter animals.
Senator Ludwig is leading a delegation of livestock industry members, including Australia Livestock Exporters’ Council, Sheepmeat Council of Australia, Livecorp and the Cattle Council of Australia, to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar this week.
"An important step in building that future is working with our exporters to ensure acceptable animal welfare outcomes in the trade," Senator Ludwig said.
"Middle Eastern markets are important for Australian livestock exports. The new supply chain assurance framework will apply to a number of these markets from the end of February.
"This official visit is an important way to communicate our reforms with foreign government ministers and key Middle Eastern importers, thereby assisting Australian exporters as they establish their supply assurance systems."
