New $1b China live export deal puts more animals at risk

A new live export trade deal with China that potentially could be worth $1 billion has generated a lot of news and comment. Unfortunately not much of the comment is about the welfare of the animals to be exported, and the little comment on their welfare is not coming from industry. 

As usual, financial and trade concerns are at the top of the list – but without consideration of the financial and other benefits of the alternative: domestic processing and export of meat.

Also not considered it seems, is the fact that China does not yet have any comprehensive animal welfare law. What chance do Australian animals have of being protected against maltreatment and inhumane slaughter in China, after horrific sea voyages of at least 10 days?