News

Exporters strengthen Vietnam market controls

AUSTRALIAN livestock exporters are strengthening the industry’s control of cattle supply chains in Vietnam by collectively adopting higher welfare and handling standards, enhanced monitoring of animals and closer policing and auditing of in-market risks.

Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council CEO Simon Westaway said exporters recognised the need to secure the future of major markets like Vietnam by reinforcing Export Supply Chain Assurance System requirements.

“ALEC and our exporter members continue to improve our mitigation of the risks associated with our maturing Vietnamese supply chains. We’re committed to stronger welfare, control and traceability safeguards to uphold ESCAS standards in Vietnam,” Mr Westaway said.

Industry meetings this week confirmed exporter support for:

• Stronger Monitoring: Enhanced tracking animals to ensure accountability
• Higher Standards: Adopting a common higher standard to ensure best practices on the ground
• Better Policing: Assessments and audits of systems providing greater ‘visibility’ into the movement of animals along the supply chain with a greater capacity to use automated ‘flags’ in the system.

Mr Westaway said endorsement of these initiatives demonstrated that exporters were committed to achieving ongoing improvements in its overseas markets.

“Especially over the past 18 months, our industry has invested in substantial research into the challenges of livestock supply chain control and traceability in Vietnam and, importantly, determining the best collective response to those challenges,” Mr Westaway said.

“The community has rightly demanded change of the industry to strengthen animal welfare assurances. The measures endorsed this week by exporters confirm our industry’s ability and willingness to deliver on that expectation and drive the necessary changes.”

“The findings of industry research into control and traceability have been applied swiftly, and not just in Vietnam. Exporters have determined that the recommendations should be incorporated via the Livestock Global Assurance Program in all feeder and slaughter markets.”

Mr Westaway said the industry’s endorsed approach would substantially improve both the focus and outcomes in relation to control and traceability within the auditing framework.

“Exporters know there is more work to be done to strengthen transparency and accountability in the live trade,” Mr Westaway said.  

“Lasting change cannot be achieved overnight, but our commitment to ongoing welfare improvement in our supply chains and our responsibilities as a leader in the global livestock export trade is a long-term proposition.”

More information: Vietnam_flyer_ALEC_May_2018.pdf

Contact: Tom Dawkins via 0476 844 886 or media@livexcouncil.com.au