Response from Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

As promised here is the letter response from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry about my email to the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP.  See my last post titled ‘Are Australians Hypocritical’. The letter was scanned and emailed to me as an PDF attachment as they did not have my postal address.  I had a lot of issues trying to resize the PDF so all of the letter could be read so last night I had to delete the post as I knew I was going to have to type the letter out again (I’m thankful for taking typing in grade ten).  Also thankyou Nevyn for emailing me about the problem with the post as well.  Here is the letter below (that I retyped):

 

Dear Mrs McArthur

Thank you for your correspondence of 17 June 2009 to the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for Housing and Australia’s live export industry. Your correspondence was referred to the Hon. Tony Burke MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, as the matter falls within his portfolio responsibilities.  Minister Burke has asked me to reply on his behalf. I regret the delay in responding.

The Australian Government supports a strong, vibrant and growing livestock sector in Australia.

An important part of the sector is the livestock export industry, which was worth more than $900 million in 2008 and underpins employment of around 10 000 people in rural and regional Australia.

This sector comes with challenges and responsibilities different from those in some other export industries.  Being part of the international live export trade means Australia can help improve the way it operates. benefiting not just our animals but those from other countries as well.  The government and those involved in the live export trade are continuing to work on improvements throughout the supply chain from farm to overseas market.

The Minister recently announced the Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership, a new three-year partnership with Australia’s livestock export industry with funding of $3.2 million for activities to strengthen animal welfare and support trade.  From 2009-10 onwards the program will be funded under a shared arrangement (50:50) with the industry. It is a good example of government and industry working together to support Australian agriculture and trade.

Since the beginning of 2008, Mr Burke has approved projects worth more than $2.4 million under the Live Animal Trade Program that will further improve animal welfare practices in importing countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. The funding has supported upgrades in livestock facilities in the Middle East and Asian regions to ensure they meet international animal welfare standards.

Our involvement in the livestock export trade and our leadership in international animal welfare issues provide the opportunity to influence change and improve conditions for animals in overseas countries.

The government and the live export industry are committed to working with our trading partners to improve animals welfare in those countries that receive our exports. In recent years, infrastructure for unloading, handling and slaughter has been improved in several export destinations. Education and training has also been provided for people involved in animals handling, transport and slaughter.

The government has also introduced standards for the long-distance of animals to overseas markets, called the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock.  The standards were written after consultation with scientists and animals welfare experts like the RSPCA.  The standards are regularly updated and are available on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s  website at www.daff.gov.au/livestockexportstandards

Guidelines to ensure exported animals are well treated during road and sea transportation are an important part of the standards. Ships must comply with strict standards about ventilation, drainage and provision of water and food. Each animal must have access to food and water on demand and enough space to lie down and there must be special pens for sick animals to receive veterinary card.

Australia has also signed agreements with some countries in the Middle East concerning the live animal trade. We take these agreements very seriously and have previously suspended shipments to some countries after particular problems have arisen.

While projects funded by the Australian government will provide direct and specific benefits, we recognise that the achievement of long-term reform in animals welfare in developing countries requires the adoption by these countries of the international animals welfare standards. Australia will continue to work with countries in the Middle East and Asia seeking the adoption of the model legislation based on the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (OIE) animal welfare standards.

Thank you again for your correspondence.

Yours sincerely

Peter Ottesen Acting Executive Manager Agricultural Productivity Division

Are Australians Hypocritical?

Not intending to by judgmental or critical by selecting this blog title, it is just something I have wondered and questioned firstly of myself, in regards to caring for Animals.

 
I have joined Facebook groups like ‘ban Japan from whaling’ and ‘save the Orangutan – ban palm oil’ as many other Australian’s have, yet I have done very little to raise awareness for our Australian native and live stock animals.  Why is that?

 
You may answer that yes I am hypocritical but that doesn’t make all Australian’s hypocritical too.  Of course it is a generalisation but I often wonder why many Australian’s are very sensitive and passionate (including myself) about protecting Fur Seals, Whales, Orangutans, African Elephants etc etc but have given little thought to the way the slaughter is carried out of our own Kangaroos.

 
Or what about how Australian livestock is exported?  Or what about how many of our loved Australian native birds and animals are becoming extinct right now in our generation (Animals Australia has more info about what is going on with our Kangaroos – stuff I didn’t know).

 
Personally I have felt the need to change and increase my concern for animals in my own background.  So with that I decided to email The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP on the subject of the industry’s practice of exporting Australian livestock.

  

Here is my email:

“To The Hon Tanya Plibersek,

I am writing to you to reconsider the current practices of live export of our Australian live stock.

Tanya I am not a vegetarian however I believe that animals have the right to respect and care while they are alive.

Animal cruelty should be banned for all animals not just the animals we have bonded with like our household pets. 

Please understand that even livestock feel the same pain and fear as every other animal we love and already protect.

These animals are giving their lives for our well being, don’t they deserve better than the treatment they are currently receiving? 

Thank you for your time to read my letter.

Yours sincerely,

Sarhn McArthur”

 

Here is Tanya Plibersek response:

 

“Dear Sarhn,

Thank you for writing to me about the live export industry.

It is important to recognise that the live export industry is a major employer in Australia. I share your concerns, however, for the welfare of the animals during their transport, handling and slaughter overseas.

I know that the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Tony Burke MP, is aware that many people share these concerns as I have made representations to Minister Burke in the past about this issue on behalf of constituents in my electorate of Sydney.  I have taken this opportunity to also forward your email to the Minister for his information.

Thanks again for taking the time to write to me. I can assure you that I will keep your views in mind in any dealings I have with my colleagues around this important issue in the future.

Best wishes,

Tanya

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP

Federal Member for Sydney”

 

In ending I wanted to say that being ‘green’ for me is about a journey of awareness.  Being aware of my personal impact on this wonderful world but also being aware of the pain and suffering of life around me.  This means kids living on the streets of Sydney, refugees in far away places and the suffering of all animals.  Coming from a place of awareness I feel humbled and honoured that I can do my little part to make a change for the better.

 

** Note or News Flash – Did anyone hear Erin Burnett’s (US anchor on CNBC) outburst about Mr. Rudd being a serial killer due his decision to spend $19 million to cull feral camels in the outback?  Personally it just feels hypocritical when Australian’s have been so vocal about banning Japan from Whaling.  What do you think? 

 

Thanks for reading.

Tara and Bellah

Is there a stomach bug going around??  I have been feeling really ill the last two weeks.  I don’t believe it is the natural eating plan that I am on (almost finished) as others who are on the same diet are feeling fantastic.

Anyway it is the reason for my lack of presence on this blog the last fortnight.  It is also the reason why I haven’t visited many of my favourite blogs as well.

Forgive this brief post – I am sure you understand.

I wanted to share this little video with you.  It is a ‘feel good’ post (which I could do a bit of).

If humans would learn from animals, wouldn’t we be a better race!

 

‘Mega’ Fires

To be honest, the last couple of days I have found it hard to write a new post.

 

I am finding it hard to articulate any words after the bush fires. 

 

What I am failing to do in words however, I am doing in actions.  Just like millions of Australians I have donated to the Victorian Bush Fire – Red Cross Fund.  Also I have felt moved to donate to the RSPCA Victorian Bush Fire fund, to help with the ongoing help for the animals (pets, live stock & wild life) who were inquired in the fires.

 

If anyone else would like to donate to the RSPCA Victorian Bush Fire fund please visit their website.

 

I am still up and watching channel 10’s late news.  Did anyone else catch the story about the age of the ‘mega’ fires?  These ‘mega’ fires have so been named because they say that they are so strong we no longer have the facility to control them.

 

The news story went on to say that perhaps scientists have under estimated the impact climate change will have on our environment.

 

A couple months ago I was the commissioned professional photographer that captured images for the 2009 Australian Fire Protection Industry conference.  Many speakers at the conference talked about the impact that global warming and climate change will have on their industry and the problems they will face not only in the future but right now.

 

Perhaps the reason for my melancholy is not just the sadness about the bush fires but also the knowledge that these ‘mega’ fires are here to stay.

 

 

Inspirational People and Blog Love

This post has been inspired by people around me and they are inspirational, in the ‘living green category’.  This is a list of the ‘Sarhn awards’.  Like the Grammies and Oscars but only better!  J

 

 

My cousin Amber

An amazing woman who has been supporting my quest to not only live a greener life but also a life lived free from cruelty to animals.  Read my post about Lucy which was inspired by Amber.

 

Amber has just won international recognition for her caring for animals charity work.  The company Amber works for is owned by a company called Liberty Global who has an annual award scheme that celebrates employees that do volunteer work in their community. Amber was a finalist this year (not bad considering there are 22,000 employees world wide) but the best news is that the prize of 1000 Euros goes directly to Amber’s charity – the RSPCA.

 

My good friend Dave

Regular readers will be familiar of Zoo man, Tassie Devil defender Dave.  His wife Lou is a regular contributor of information to this blog.

 

Dave is regularly featured in the press.  From being on the TV show ‘The Zoo’ and many newspaper and magazine articles; Dave speaks out about the plight of our Tassie Devil. 

 

Remember the Tassie Devil fund raiser in 2008?  Dave’s virtual Devil and many others helped to raise over $50,000.  This money will help zoos throughout Australia breed Devils for release into the wild when it’s safe to do so.

 

 

 

Graham (I met Graham when I photographed his wedding)

I recently found Graham and his wife on facebook.  They accepted my invitation to join my facebook network of friends. 

 

Looking through Graham’s photographs and facebook profile I was not only inspired but surprised.  Surprise because I never knew of his work and researching in saving the Ethiopian Wolf.  This species of wolf are those long legged variety found in the mountains of Ethiopia and there are only 500 remaining.

 

According to the ‘Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme’ website, Graham joined as a field coordinator in 2006 and since then has been working in Ethiopian in the attempts to save this species.   

 

My husband Brett

Hi gorgeous man you!  You have been totally supportive of the changes I have made throughout our home and lifestyle.  I realise that my quest to live a ‘greener’ life directly impacts you and thus you have also been on a ‘green’ journey that was not of your own partaking. Though this was my idea and passion you have embraced the ‘green’ journey and made it your own.  Thank you for your love and support.

 

Australian Bloggers

This is a little thank you to those bloggers who have supported, encouraged and inspired me on my journey to live a ‘greener’ life.

 

Greening of Gavin

Towards Sustainability

Nevyn’s World

Green Change

Green Lettuce Soup

Little Eco Footprints

Bokashi Composting in Australia