Fresh claims Australian cattle are being slaughtered with sledgehammers in Vietnamese abattoirs are linked to reports from March.
But it's unclear whether the new claims involve the same live exporter or cattle supply.
The Department of Agriculture on Thursday confirmed footage it's received from Animals Australia showing cattle being hit repeatedly about the head with sledgehammers is linked to three previous reports it received from exporters who dobbed themselves in for non-compliance in March.
However, Animals Australia claims the latest incident occurred in April.
While the department was unable to clarify the link when further queried, it promised a thorough investigation would take place.
"No shortcuts are taken," a spokesman said in a statement to AAP.
The department has come under fire from a Labor MP who's accused it of having a conflict of interest in regulating animal welfare.
Melissa Parke wants a new, independent body to instead monitor the live export industry.
"We've got to the point where it's becoming clear the department is not able to properly regulate the trade of live exports," she told AAP on Thursday.
The department defended itself against those accusations, saying it checked every complaint thoroughly.
Exporters are now taking additional measures to control the movement and traceability of livestock within Vietnam, it said.
The Vietnamese government also hit back at critics, rejecting accusations that using sledgehammers was a common method of slaughter in the country.
It's also vowed to take action if the latest animal cruelty claims are proved, saying it had strict protocols on humane slaughtering.
"Even the public opinion in Vietnam cannot condone the mistreatment of animals," a spokesman from the Vietnamese embassy in Canberra told AAP.
It would not be in the best interests of either side to shut down a cattle export industry worth $186 million to Australia.
"We are of the view that maintaining good trade co-operation is in the interest of both Vietnamese and Australian people," the spokesman said.
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