Minimising mortality risks during export of live goats by sea from Australia

Summary

Live goat exports to the Middle East, particularly for the hajj pilgrimage, are an important market opportunity for Australian producers. There is also a significant and expanding live goat export trade to Malaysia. Live goat exports are especially important to producers in marginal pastoral country, where there are few alternative production options. However, the future of the live goat export trade is in doubt because of government concern about voyage mortality rates. There is a strong view in government that goat mortality rates are too high, and that more can and must be done to ensure that voyage mortality rates below 2% are consistently achieved. This work has sought to identify, assess and recommend management of the risks associated with high mortality during live goat exports by sea from Australia. A risk management plan has been developed in the context that live goat exports can only continue if there is a very low probability that the mortality rate on any future voyage will exceed 2%. This study specifically relates to the live export of goats by sea. Issues relating to air transport of goats have not been considered in this review.