I am writing to the Indonesian Government about the photographs of cows in East Java being hoisted by a crane using ropes tied to their necks.
I am concerned to read comments by Indonesian Veterinary Association Chairwoman Wiwiek Bagya that animal welfare laws in effect since 2009 do not work because they do not actually lay out what punishment people should face for animal cruelty.
Clearly there was a great outcry in the Australian community following the 2011 revelations of cruelty to Australian animals in Indonesian abattoirs. For the Australian community to have genuine confidence that exported animals will not be mistreated, we need a sense that we are on the same page as people in other countries on the question of animal welfare. These photographs will not give Australians that sense. I hope the Indonesian Government will take action in this case. I hope it will demonstrate, by its enforcement of laws against animal cruelty, that it shares with Australians a real commitment to animal welfare.
Thanks very much for your representation again, Kelvin. It's great to see the efforts being put into ending animal abuse for good. Fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kelvin..the Australian public who have clearly demonstrated they find live export intolerable...well.. need you!!
ReplyDeleteKeep going.
I commend you Kevin, very few politicians in Australia have any regard for this issue. Glad to see a politician of substance, you get my vote.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kevin. Better world when we do for the greater good. Keep pushing. Fight for what is fair. A++
ReplyDeleteI too, am happy to commend Kelvin's action, although I wonder whether a letter will do enough. The argument that we have little control over our product in another country has been overstated. Many products are sold overseas with explicit and strict conditions of sale. I still believe that the meat industry won't do anything about this unless they are held by the purse strings again. I'm almost surprised they haven't trotted out another vet spokesperson who is prepared to say that hanging cattle by the neck is not painful to the animal.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelvin for being a great advocate for livestock.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Kelvin - but it is not only Indonesia that will NEVER be on the same page. The cruelty to our animals is endemic in EVERY importing country, yet still we send pitiful shipload after shipload. Decent Australians are deeply, deeply ashamed of the government which continues to allow - even defend it.
ReplyDeleteNot well done Kevin. Politicians play political games to gain points. But trying to gain points on the issue of Live Animal Exports is sickening.
ReplyDeleteIt is a cruel trade.
As I write this it is 40 degrees.
A suggestion how about all the politicians, and those involved in the Live Animal Export Trade go down to fremantle and pack yourselves into one of the ships for a few days and see how long you last.
The cruelty starts here in Australia when you load those animals on to those ships and what makes it worse they are shipped to countries that have no respect for animals. Perhaps if you had the guts to say that the Muslim countries do not respect animal rights and we should not be shipping our animals to these places you may closer to the truth of the matter. IT IS A CRUEL AND BLOODY BUSINESS AND IF I MAY SAY SO SMELLS OF DECEPTION AND MONEY.
Hi Kelvin, Thanks for all that you do for animals. Indonesia don't actually have any Animal Welfare Laws. They were drafted in 2009 and were never legislated. In addition, lifting cattle with a crane is a breach of OIE "world standards" to which Indonesia is a signatory. Compassion in World Farming highlighted this issue when lobbying the OIE to enforce their own standards. In fact CIWF highlighted breaches to OIE by many countries we send Live Export to. The OIE is toothless and what we need is for Indonesia to legislate AW laws and adhere to OIE standards in all abs and all supply chains, regardless of the origin of the cattle and we also need the OIE to take action against countries that do not uphold these most basic of standards.
ReplyDeleteSo heartened that there are politicians like you, Mr Thomson. You are a brave man and I applaud your courage!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Kelvin, as I assume you will cop a lot of flack for standing against Live Export. However, I also feel it will fall on deaf ears, as if the Indonesian people think Australians don't care, why should they. I think you understand that the real problem starts here in Australia, with the constant series of debarcle after scandle after mismangement. The latest, of which I am sure you know is the pregnant cows sent to Mauritius, where the importer specifically stated "no pregnant cows" as it is illegal to kill pregnant cattle in Mauritius. So again, sloppy farm practices, sloppy agents, sloppy paperwork, lies, deceit and a couldn't care less attitude to the importer's requirements. This is either complete arrogance (which does not put Australia in good stead as a reliable business partner), total negligence and disregard of duty of care. The paperwork should be traced and the perpetrators who were responsible should be named and shamed. I am sure you have the power to start some investigation into this incident. Thank you Kelvin.
ReplyDeleteGeorgina Z
ReplyDeleteThank you for this blog Kelvin. My thoughts about this business is that we shouldn't be sending animals out as once that is done, one surrenders control irrespective of the agreements in place. There can be no assurance about the welfare of animals once they are shipped out of Australia - that's what experience has been highlighting.
An article in the Australian speaks of Kelvin Thomson as being "outspoken"! Why do most politicians turn their heads from the cruelty inflicted on animals sent overseas in the live export trade? The $1 billion profits is lucrative and they remain silent and complicit. We need more government and opposition members to be a voice for animals - and the people. Kelvin Thomson is one of the few politicians to say things as they are, and not be tight-lipped by party politics and collusion. The live export industry is ugly and shameful for Australia. There's no control once animals leave our shores, and there's corruption within. False documents say there are "no deaths" on board when there are, and pregnant cows sent overseas when they weren't meant to be! The whole industry is corrupt and in disarray.
ReplyDeleteKelvin only one thing to say about you!A man of common sense, compassion AND Australian. Oh thats more that a word but who cares Go for it mate we are right behind you. This barbaric live export killing trade has to stop NOW
ReplyDeleteHi Kelvin, can you keep us updated on this issue with any replies from Indonesia etc. Can you also put some pressure on the govt.to give funding to the new Abbattoirs planed for Darwin and the Kimberley areas. They are waiting for funding to go ahead with the project, which will bring much wanted work for Australians and superior animal welfare standards. Thank you Kelvin.
ReplyDeleteKelvin - are you on Twitter. If so what is your Twitter name? I'm on FB but a most active on Twitter in relation to animal welfare, world population oontrol, Factory Farming, climate control and Live Exports.
ReplyDeleteKind regards,
James Larkin