Perth company breaches law

A Perth cattle company could face heavy fines or even have its live export licence cancelled after a Federal Government investigation found it breached new anti-cruelty laws.

In a report released late last week, the Department of Agriculture recommended action against two live cattle export companies in response to video footage released by activists showing animals being mistreated in Indonesian abattoirs.

The investigation singles out Darwin- based North Australian Cattle Company and Perth’s International Livestock Exports.

The Perth company is one of the country’s biggest live cattle exporters.

The breaches included cattle not being properly restrained before being killed, staff not making sure the animals were dead, and not confirming the deaths before moving them or throwing water on them.

Meanwhile, one of the major companies involved in Kimberley cattle exports, Wellard Rural Exporters, along with Australian Rural Exports (Austrex), was cleared by DAFF.

The department said the two exporters, initially identified by the department as being linked to the footage, did not have cattle in the relevant supply chains when it was recorded.