Live sheep exports: Trading in Oman under investigation for breaching Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System

The timing of an alleged breach of animal welfare systems in the live export trade could not be worse for the industry, which is fighting being phased out.

In a setback for supporters of live sheep exports, a report has emerged that stock are being sold outside of protocols that protect animal welfare.

Animals Australia has reported concerns to the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry about sheep being sold in Oman, with the matter now under investigation.

The report alleges sheep exported to Oman were observed being sold outside the approved Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System.

The live export industry has maintained ESCAS ensures the welfare of sheep exported predominantly to the Middle East.

And it is currently pushing back against the federal government’s plans to phase out live sheep exports.

According to the DAFF website, which logs investigations, there was just one alleged incident investigated last year for noncompliance to the assurance system when sheep were allegedly not handled correctly when transported.

But Animals Australia said the latest report to DAFF was the 72nd legal complaint it had made in the 11 years the regulations had been in place.

“This further reinforces that export companies cannot be trusted to police their own activities,” an Animals Australia spokesman said.

“It was evidence gathered by Animals Australia investigators that forced regulations that require animals to be kept within approved supply chains.

“Sheep are no longer allowed to be transported in utes and car boots or sold for home slaughter.

“Yet, our extensive evidence across over a dozen locations in Oman reveals these rules being ignored, with some sellers even confirming they receive a constant supply of Australian sheep – in breach of live export regulations.”

A DAFF spokesman said the current investigation would “take some time”.

“The department is taking these allegations seriously and has commenced its investigation,” the spokesman said.

“To mitigate the risk of further noncompliance the department has already taken regulatory action requiring exporters to implement stronger control arrangements, extra surveillance and additional reporting.”

The first allegations of mistreatment of animals in Oman were made by Animals Australia to DAFF on May 28, but further information was given in the past week.

Australian Livestock Exporters Council chief executive Mark Harvey-Sutton said the footage from Animals Australia showed noncompliance with ESCAS in Oman, “in particular sheep outside of approved supply chains”.

“To remediate this, the two exporters with sheep in Oman have rapidly deployed staff to investigate and address the supply chain issues,” Mr Harvey Sutton said.

“ALEC and the exporters continue to work closely with the regulator on this issue.”

He said ESCAS regulatory requirements were an important welfare measure that Australian exporters “are proud of”.

“While we wait for an impartial investigation by DAFF, exporters will continue to improve standards through rapidly addressing breaches of ESCAS as soon as possible,” Mr Harvey-Sutton said.