The debate over the future of livestock export in Australia has intensified after research shows that the number of deaths in transit of cattle have continued to increase.

 

The Federal Senate is currently debating two bills that would see a halt to all live export for slaughter. The debate comes after figures show the death rate of live cattle export increased to 0.19 per cent n transit of the 490,926, representing 932 transit deaths in the six months to June.

 

The number of transit deaths has more than doubled since the July to December period last year, where 402 deaths, or 0.10 per cent of the 408,764 animals, were recorded.

 

The first bill currently before the senate, the amendment to Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997, would prohibit the export of livestock for slaughter as of 1 July 2014 and would provide export license holders to ensure all livestock are treated satisfactorily before slaughter.

 

The second bill, an amendment to the Export Control Act 1982, would prohibit export of livestock for slaughter treated satisfactorily before slaughter as well as banning livestock exports for slaughter as of 1 July 2014.