MLA admits warning abattoirs about Four Corners visit

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens agriculture spokesperson has questioned Meat & Livestock Australia’s reliance on an ‘incremental’ approach to animal welfare improvements in Indonesia.

Representatives from MLA appeared before the Senate Inquiry into live animal exports this evening with Senator Siewert asking them about the welfare measures taken prior to the Four Corners report into the trade.

“Tonight, MLA admitted warning abattoirs that the Four Corners would be filming in Indonesia - it seems that they spend more time taking that sort of approach than improving standards,” Senator Siewert said today.

“MLA spoke extensively about an ‘incremental approach’ to improving welfare measures, but the graphic evidence we have seen clearly demonstrates that such an approach was ineffective and underwhelming.

“In contrast to this, abattoirs in Indonesia appear to be making relatively rapid improvements to their operations as a result of the temporary suspension of live exports.

“Surely this is a sign that stronger action taken at an earlier stage could have mitigated some of this appalling treatment,” Senator Siewert concluded.