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Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) reveals Vietnam market assessment is underway
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) has released five Export Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) non-compliance reports. Several reports detail high numbers of cattle leaked from approved supply chains in the Vietnamese market.
ALEC took immediate action when made aware of the critical non-compliances in Vietnam commissioning and a world leading supply chain traceability firm to independently assess and report on the current supply chains in Vietnam. The Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, the Shadow Minister for Agriculture and the regulator were immediately notified. This assessment is underway with the final report due to be released in August.
The assessors have been in the market and their initial findings are that wide-scale leakage is not occurring, however, there are areas that can be significantly improved in a small number of supply chains. ALEC is committed to actioning the final findings of the assessment swiftly.
“As an industry, we must always uphold the highest standards of animal welfare, which includes the highest standards of traceability in-market which exporters are responsible for. All ALEC members are bound by its Code of Conduct, breaches to this code of conduct will be considered by ALEC’s conduct committee.
Non-compliance with ESCAS requirements is not tolerated by the Livestock Export Industry. ALEC has repeatedly expressed that when these issues emerge, they must also be promptly and thoroughly investigated by the regulator, with the results made public and appropriate sanctions enforced against all relevant supply chain participants.
ALEC will keep all stakeholders, including the community, producers and the Australian Government informed of the assessment’s progress. As an industry we are determined to reset and reform.” says Mark Harvey-Sutton CEO ALEC.
ALEC will continue to engage with the exporters that have been under investigation, to ensure corrective actions are implemented.
Enquiries: Annie Frisch via 0476 844 886 or media@livexcouncil.com.au