Animal Cruelty Laws

Live exporters are obliged to comply with the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL), administered by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). ASEL only governs the condition of animals fit for loading and does not cover animal cruelty.

AQIS's only assessment of animal welfare is to briefly glance at animals as they are running up the loading ramp onto the ship. Our observation is that AQIS frequently fails to spot blind, lame or injured animals.

Live exporters are also bound by the Animal Welfare Acts in each state. The Animal Welfare Act in WA is administered by the Department for Local Government.  Despite a concerted campaign by Stop Live Exports and other animal welfare groups across Australia, this Department has failed to provide adequate funding for the monitoring of animal welfare in WA. Due to a lack of funding by the WA State Government, livestock facilities in WA are seldom inspected.

Click here to take action on WA Animal Welfare Unit under funding

Monitoring of animal cruelty at the port is often left to animal welfare groups or concerned individuals. What's going on at Freemantle port.

However, most cruelty in live export occurs out at sea where perpetrators are beyond the jurisdictional reach of the state governments.

Click here to download the Australian Standards for Export of Livestock

Click here to download the WA State Animal Welfare Act

Click here to download the West Australian Codes in relation to Sheep, Cattle and Goats