AN AUSTRALIAN delegation focused on live export animal welfare standards has just returned from the Middle East.
Heads of the sheep and cattle industry's peak bodies were part of a delegation led by Minister for Agriculture Joe Ludwig.
The purpose of the delegation was to help countries get up to speed on the Exporters Supply Chain Assurance System.
Unless countries agree to follow all steps in the system, they will not be permitted to buy Australian stock.
The first group includes the biggest importers of Australian live animals - Kuwait, Bahrain, Turkey and Qatar.
Cattle Council of Australia president Andrew Ogilvie said the system would allow these four markets, known as tranche 1 markets, to continue to trade after March 1.
"There will be ongoing work to resolve some outstanding issues, mostly around contractual matters and auditing, but these are not insurmountable," he said.
"The CCA stands committed to working with Government and industry in assuring the welfare of Australian livestock, while maintaining a sustainable live export industry. ESCAS will ensure that outcome."
The next group to tackle the supply chain assurance system includes Israel, Jordan, UAE, Japan, Oman, the Philippines and Singapore.
They must have their systems up to Australian requirements by the end of August.
Australian Livestock Exporters Council chairman Peter Kane, also part of the delegation, said the industry was "determined to deliver the successful implementation of the new regulatory framework in the Middle East".
"The industry will continue to work with the Australian Government to overcome any hurdles," he said. "But exporters understand there will be supply chains that will not process Australian livestock because they do not meet the requirements of ESCAS."
Indonesia and Egypt already follow ESCAS, which were key to reopening Indonesian trade after it was suspended last year.
