News
ALEC Statement on Freedom of Information footage from 2018 released today
12 April 2024
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) is aware that the Freedom of Information Commissioner has granted the RSPCA access to Independent Observer footage of a voyage that departed Fremantle in May 2018.
Government needs to go back to the drawing board on live exports
27 March 2024
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) today warned Labor MPs speaking on live sheep exports were simply using tired and factually incorrect arguments in parliament when debating a private members motion put forward by the Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsay on Monday.
Statement on cattle deaths at sea
26 March 2024
ALEC understands that a shipment of cattle to Indonesia experienced a significant mortality event during a voyage to Indonesia that discharged on 24 March.
Time to start listening to farmers
13 March 2024
Today at the National Farmers Federation National Forum on Mental Health in Agriculture, ALEC CEO Mark Harvey-Sutton congratulated the NFF on putting on the forum and highlighting the importance of the issue.
Activists hamper DAFF in Bahijah decision
09 February 2024
Following the publication of the full statement of reasons by the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) this afternoon, for its refusal to grant the exporter responsible for the MV Bahijah permission to re-export livestock, the Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) considers the decision detailed and extensive.
ALEC Statement re MV Bahijah decision
05 February 2024
On 5 January 2024, the MV Bahijah departed Fremantle, bound for Eilat, Israel, with a mixed consignment of approximately 15000 sheep and 2500 cattle. This consignment was approved by the Federal Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and was undertaken by Bassam Dabbah, an exporter that is not a member of the Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC).
ALEC calls out blatant activist lies on Bahijah
01 February 2024
Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) CEO Mark Harvey-Sutton has today launched a blistering attack on the blatant lies being perpetuated by activist groups and politicians about the MV Bahijah issue.
“Once again, activists are spreading lies to further their own cause and it’s time it was called out” said Mr Harvey-Sutton.
ALEC urges Government to reconsider live sheep ban in light of stage three tax turnaround
24 January 2024
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council has today reminded the Albanese Government that fairness doesn’t only apply to taxation. It noted the Government’s backflip on the stage three tax cuts and reminds it there is another area where a reconsideration of policy is needed: reversing the planned phase out of Australian live sheep exports.
ALEC CEO, Mark Harvey-Sutton said the Government should change its mind.
Government must take action on serious cash for cruelty claims in Parliament
01 December 2023
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) today called on the Government to take serious action on the concerns raised by Rick Wilson MP and Senator Slade Brockman in Parliament in the past two weeks about activist group Animals Australia. These concerns involve allegations of cash payments Animals Australia to livestock vessel crew.
Out of touch activists must condemn Singer if serious about animal wellbeing
21 November 2023
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) today called on the Australian Alliance for Animals Chair, Hon Dr Craig Emerson to condemn and immediately expel its member, Animals Australia, for continuing to actively promote its co-founder Peter Singer, despite revelations in social media posts and in the West Australian that Mr Singer seemingly endorses zoophilia; the sexual fixation between animals and humans.
ALEC to PM: Give the live export industry a sporting chance
15 November 2023
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) today reiterated its calls for the Albanese Government to reverse its live sheep ban policy, as the damage is being increasingly felt by Western Australian farmers, their families and friends.
Oliver Thorne named 2023 Young Achiever of the Year
08 November 2023
Nutrien Ag Solutions and the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) are pleased to announce the winner of the 2023 Livestock Exporter Young Achiever of the Year award, Oliver Thorne, Business Development Coordinator at AUSTREX.
ALEC backs Keep Farmers Farming campaign
26 October 2023
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) has thrown its support behind the National Farmers’ Federation’s Keep Farmers Farming campaign against anti-farming policies.
2023 Young Achiever of the Year open now
14 September 2023
The Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) has opened nominations for the Livestock Exporter Young Achiever Award, supported by Nutrien Ag Solutions.
ALEC welcomes resumption of Indonesian cattle trade
08 September 2023
The Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) welcomes the agreement between Australian and Indonesian officials to resume the trade of Australian buffalo and cattle from the seven Registered Establishments in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia that were either suspended or restricted by Indonesia.
Statement to ABC's 7:30
28 August 2023
The The Australian Livestock Exporters Council provided the following statement to ABC 7:30 on 8 August 2023.
GAPUSPINDO and ALEC joint statement
18 August 2023
The Indonesian Beef Cattle Industry Association (GUPUSPINDO) and the Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) have reiterated the strong friendship and close working relationship between their two organisations despite the challenges the live cattle industry is facing.
Update regarding Oman non-compliance investigation ahead of Eid-al-Adha
26 June 2023
The Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) advises that efforts to secure supply chains remains ongoing in Oman following allegations of ESCAS non-compliance by Animals Australia.
Vale Simon Crean, AO
26 June 2023
The Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) wishes to extend its condolences to the friends and family of the Hon Simon Crean following the sad news of his passing.
ALEC welcomes new corporate partner, Zoetis
08 June 2023
ALEC is pleased to welcome a new partnership with Zoetis starting in 2023.
Further statement on Oman investigation
02 June 2023
The Australian Livestock Exporters Association (ALEC) has reviewed the footage provided to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) related to non-compliances of the Export Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) in Oman.
Australian Livestock Exporters' Council statement on Oman investigation
30 May 2023
The Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) advises that an investigation by the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) into non-compliances of the Export Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) is underway.
Australian Livestock Exporters' Council opposes live sheep phase out
15 February 2023
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) opposes the Labor Government’s moves toward banning the live sheep trade in Australia, following recent comments in Senate Estimates by the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Senator the Hon Murray Watt.
2022 Livestock Exporter Young Achiever of the Year announced
11 November 2022
Nutrien Ag Solutions and the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) are pleased to announce the winner of the 2022 Livestock Exporter Young Achiever of the Year award, ILSC Roebuck Depot Manager, Ceny Hussie.
Notice of Oman Feedlot Incident
03 May 2022
Rural Export and Trading (WA) Pty Ltd RETWA advised the Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment, as the industry’s regulator, of an incident that occurred at an Omani importer’s feedlot on Friday Night 29th April 2022. Once the circumstances were ascertained, the exporter immediately self-reported the incident to DAWE on 2 May 2022.
Corporate Partnership leads to tailored Travel Insurance for Live Export Industry
07 December 2021
Nutrien Ag Solutions and the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) are pleased to announce the launch of Corporate Travel Insurance for the live export industry.
Nutrien Ag Solutions Insurance Manager for the South East Chris Agnew, presented the policy to ALEC Members, stock people and live export vets this past fortnight.
2021 Livestock Exporter Young Achiever of the Year announced
10 November 2021
Nutrien Ag Solutions and the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) are pleased to announce the winner of the 2021 Livestock Exporter Young Achiever of the Year Award is Kari Moffat. Kari is the Animal Welfare Assurance manager for AUSTREX, an Executive Board member of Queensland Livestock Exporters Association (QLEA), and the current Chair of the Young Livestock Exporters Network (YLEN).
Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) announces new corporate partnership with Nutrien Ag Solutions
08 September 2021
The three-year corporate partnership will provide support for the peak industry body representing Australia's livestock export sector and champion it’s mission to lead the growth of the sector through continuous improvement to business, environmental and welfare standards.
“Nutrien Ag Solutions is pleased to continue our partnership with the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC). Collaboration is at the core of ALEC’s work, and we are excited to continue to work together to secure this important industry’s standing with the Australian public, said Rob Clayton, Managing Director, Nutrien Ag Solutions.
Joint media statement from Australia’s Meat, Poultry and Seafood Industries
06 August 2021
Australians being duped by plant-based labelling
Research published today shows the majority of Australians are being tricked by misleading plant-based protein packaging, and 73 percent believe clearer labelling standards need to be introduced.
Statement I Reported ESCAS non-compliance in the UAE Dubai market
02 August 2021
Rural Export & Trading (WA) Pty Ltd (RETWA) has been contacted by the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) regarding an alleged Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) non-compliance during this year’s Eid Al Adha related to Australian sheep being removed from the approved UAE Dubai livestock market supply chain facility.
Non-compliance reported in a Jordan facility I All slaughter and sales immediately suspended
29 July 2021
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) as required under the ESCAS guidelines has advised that on the 28 July 2021 a third party has reported non-compliant handling and slaughter at an approved facility in Jordan.
ESCAS noncompliance reported in Indonesia
16 July 2021
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) has been advised by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) of an Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) breach involving the non-compliant slaughter of cattle in seven Indonesian abattoirs.
ALEC Response to New Zealand live export by sea phase out announcement
14 April 2021
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) expresses its sympathies with its New Zealand colleagues today following news that the New Zealand Government will phase out livestock exports over the next two years.
New market opens for live exports to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
07 April 2021
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) welcomes the opening of livestock exports to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after a 10-year hiatus. ALEC would like to thank the work of Minister Littleproud, his office and industry bodies, in securing this important market.
Cost Recovery Implementation Statement
10 March 2021
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Councils (ALEC) comments regarding the latest Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) have been made to highlight the very significant increases in regulatory costs that are currently forecast by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE).
Cambridge Global Payments Announces New Endorsement Partnership with ALEC
03 February 2021
Cambridge Global Payments Announces New Endorsement Partnership with Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council. The partnership will provide ALEC members access to foreign currency exchange and cross-border payment solutions.
2020 Young Livestock Exporter Achiever of the Year
29 October 2020
Nutrien Ag Solutions and the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) are pleased to announce the winner of the 2020 Young Livestock Exporter Achiever of the Year Award, HALLEEN Australasian Livestock Traders ESCAS Manager Patrick Coole. Nutrien Ag Solutions’ South East Region Livestock Lead Adam Mountjoy made the announcement at the ALEC virtual Members meeting on Thursday 29 October.
Statement - Management of Noncompliance
21 August 2020
This week the South East Australian Livestock Services (SEALS) has self-reported instances of non-compliance in Indonesia to the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE).
Livestock Shipping Services (LSS) Non-compliance highlights systems are working in Jordan
13 August 2020
During this year’s Eid Al Adha Livestock Shipping Services (LSS) was made aware of an Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) non-compliance that related to Australian sheep leaving approved supply chain facilities.
Investigation underway into Animals Australia report
11 August 2020
Australian exporters of cattle to Indonesia are reviewing their supply chains, following a complaint to the regulator alleging non-compliant slaughter of Australian cattle in Indonesia.
Media Statement – Al Kuwait exemption request granted and permission to load granted
17 June 2020
Rural Export and Trading (WA) Pty Ltd (RETWA) has today received approval to load the Al Kuwait.
Exemption to northern summer moratorium granted Federal Court decision handed down
16 June 2020
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) welcomes the Federal Court’s decision that allows the exemption for sheep to be exported on the MV Al Kuwait to stand.
Australian Livestock Exporters' Councils response to the exemption outcome
05 June 2020
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) is disappointed by the announcement from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE), rejecting an application for the export of 56,000 sheep to the Middle East.
Media Statement – COVID-19 cases have been confirmed on livestock vessel
26 May 2020
The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) understands that the MV Al Kuwait recently returned to Australia from the Gulf and had reported that some of the crew members felt ill with slight flu like symptoms.