Cattle exports axed over cruelty claims

28 May 2011, 11:03 am   -   Source: AAP
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The RSPCA released footage of animals being mistreated in Indonesia. (AAP)

The RSPCA released footage of animals being mistreated in Indonesia. (AAP)

Australia's livestock industry has suspended supply to three Indonesian abattoirs, saying it cannot condone animal cruelty.

Australia's livestock industry has suspended cattle exports to three Indonesian abattoirs because of animal cruelty.

LiveCorp said it was handed "graphic and distressing" video footage on Tuesday which showed the beasts being mistreated.

The livestock body moved immediately to contact its Indonesian counterpart, which has control of the cattle once on Indonesian soil, and demand the abattoirs be struck off as clients.

The counterpart agreed.

"Cruelty to Australian animals is simply unacceptable," LiveCorp chief executive Cameron Hall said in a statement on Friday.

"We will not tolerate it."

The footage was filmed by animal activists and also showed exposed a fourth facility for poor animal handling practices, although cattle supply has not been halted there.

The facility will undergo an intensive training program delivered by a team of Australian experts who are flying to Indonesia this weekend.

Mr Hall said the industry was committed to ensuring cruel practices in Indonesia were wiped out and will maintain the supply suspension until the abattoirs get their act together.

The RSPCA, which along with Animals Australia passed on the footage to the media, strongly attacked LiveCorp for its "PR response" to a serious and on-going issue.

"LiveCorp and MLA (Meat and Livestock Australia) are completely aware of their culpability in animal cruelty in Indonesia and are terrified that it is about to be exposed," spokeswoman Lisa Chalk told AAP.

"They have known what is going on in Indonesia for over a decade.

"They have a clear track record of promising to act only when exposed and it is time government and producers called them to account."

The RSPCA said it was forced to release the video by way of the press after the federal government failed to act on similar concerns with live sheep exports to Kuwait last year.

Ms Chalk said the only acceptable solution was to ban live exports to Indonesia completely.

Indonesia is the biggest importer of live cattle from Australia.

The Australian Greens condemned LiveCorp's "token" response to the cruelty revelations, and urged the government to step in and implement a tougher response.

"Surely the industry and government don't think that the three suspended abattoirs are the only ones practising inhumane methods?" senator Rachel Siewert asked in a statement.

"It would be naive to think that the suspension of exports to just three abattoirs, as has been announced today, will end this unacceptable treatment."

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