Mr. Alister Lugsdin and Dr. Michael Patching of Meat Livestock Australia (MLA) and representative from Wellard Rural Pty Ltd., Australia, Mr. Ton Aguilar; made an ocular inspection with Export Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) accredited slaughterhouse RSRH Livestock Corporation. The said visitation offered technical support and assistance on Improved Animal Welfare and humane slaughtering.
ESCAS is an assurance system based on four principles:
- Animal welfare: animal handling and slaughtering in the importing country conforms to World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) animal welfare recommendations
- Control through the supply chain: the exporter has control of all supply chain arrangements for livestock transport, management, and slaughter. All livestock remain in the supply chain.
- Traceability through the supply chain: the exporter can trace all livestock through the supply chain.
- Independent audit: the supply chain in the importing country is independently audited.
Exporters are required to have an ESCAS in place for all feeder and slaughter livestock. ESCAS does not apply to export of breeder livestock. In order for the department to consider a NOI (and CRMP for sea) for approval, exporters must have an approved ESCAS in place for the relevant market.
The Australian Government released a report on ESCAS on 21 January 2015. The report looks at the effectiveness of ESCAS from its introduction in July 2011 through to 30 November 2014 in delivering animal welfare outcomes and facilitating trade. The report also includes facts, data, and practical examples of how ESCAS has been implemented for different markets.
For more information on ESCAS visit the link below.
Source: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/export/controlled-goods/live-animals/livestock/information-exporters-industry/escas
