By Kris Alingod

Canberra, Australia

Just three months after Canberra banned animal exports to Indonesia in the wake of graphic TV footage showing the abattoirs' cruelty to cows, Australia tightened their livestock export rules, asking exporters to guarantee the welfare of animal.

Australia demanded the exporting countries to inform them about the welfare of cattle, sheep and goats from the point they leave the country for supply to their slaughter.

Australian Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig said that they want to track animals in each supply chain, adding that they would independently audit the guarantees given by individual export companies. The minister added that such a measure would boost Australia's lucrative live export industry's stability and certainty.

"Importantly, if animal welfare issues do arise in overseas markets in the future, the government will have the ability to address these issues without closing entire markets," he said in a statement.

Australia had lifted the ban a month after imposing it and resumed its exports to Indonesia in August under a strict new licensing scheme.

Some farmers welcomed Australia's new animal welfare arrangements, while others expressed disappointment, as it doesn't include the compulsory stunning method. Jock Laurie, President of National Farmers Federation, welcomed the rule and said that this was a "good balanced approach".

"They have been very willing to work at addressing market issues to ensure this trade can continue into the future at a standard that is acceptable to the Australian community," he told reporters in Canberra on Friday.

World - Australia Strengthens Rules on Livestock Exports | Global Viewpoint