A WA parliamentary question probes the Minister for Agriculture and Food's visit to Indonesian abattoirs following concerns about slaughter practices. The questions focus on the number of abattoirs visited, ownership, witnessing live kills, and itinerary planning.

AnsweredQoN 6240Legislative Assembly
Asked
28 September 2011
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Minister’s visit to Indonesia on Sunday, 11 September 2011, and the Minister’s statement in the House that we need to put in place protocols to ensure that stock are slaughtered in an appropriate manner at abattoirs in Indonesia, and I ask:
(a) how many abattoirs did the Minister visit while in Indonesia; and
(i) how many of these abattoirs were owned by Indonesians;
(ii) how many of these abattoirs were owned by Australians;
(b) did the Minister witness live kills at all of these abattoirs and if not, why not;
(c) was the Minister aware, before the trip to Indonesia that the abattoirs he planned to visit would not be conducting live kills during the visit; and
(d) why did the Minister not plan an itinerary to arrange to view like kills, given that the Minister was in Indonesia for four days?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
18 October 2011
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
20 days
(a) 3
(i)  2
(ii) 1
(b) No, I witnessed live kills at one abattoir. These kills were very professionally handled. My access to abattoirs and viewing of slaughter was subject to  negotiation with, and agreement by Indonesian authorities and local industry.
(c) No. The request to inspect abattoirs during my visit to Indonesia was made through the WA Trade Office in Jakarta at a time when the matter was extremely  sensitive. Although I did not witness live kills at the other two abattoirs, I did see  first-hand the vigorous upgrading and refurbishment of these facilities taking place to meet the new regulations. I also witnessed the commendable collaboration effort taking place between Meat and Livestock Australia, the Indonesian government and local and Australian industry.
(d)  My itinerary to visit abattoirs was finalised on the ground in Indonesia and did  include viewing live kills. It should be noted I was in Indonesia as a guest of the Indonesian government. I am the first Australian minister to visit abattoirs and  observe slaughter in Indonesia since the ban.
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