Animal welfare drive

Officials from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) are actively contributing towards creating animal welfare among buyers of livestock at the Central Market in Mesaimeer.

At the Australian sheep enclosure of Mawashi’s premises, the officials are ensuring that the animals just being bought are not “thrown in the boots” of the vehicles, and are transported in a way that makes them “less frightened”.

“It is a known fact that the meat quality is downgraded when you slaughter a frightened animal,” one MLA official told Gulf Times yesterday.

“I am a farmer and I would like people to buy our sheep but the livestock must be treated with kindness, even if it will be with you for a short period of time,” she added.

A special ramp has been erected at the enclosure from where sheep are transferred into the vehicles.

This year, Mawashi too started running an awareness campaign in the days leading up to the Eid al-Adha festival through advertisements and billboards, and urged the buyers to carry the livestock in an open truck.

“Your vehicle will only be accepted if you let your sheep stand free, without tied legs or head must not be tied. Please arrange for your purchase to be transported in an open truck with side panels and a back gate, without which no vehicle will be permitted inside the premises,” reads a Mawashi notice.

“It is better for the animal and safer for you,” it adds.

The company has also committed to abide by the rules of the World Organisation for Animal Health.

The issue has become contentious in Australia where some animal activist groups have escalated their campaigns against the country’s livestock export trade.

“(They use) an important religious celebration to spread incorrect claims designed to mislead the Australian community. It is the same time of year when the Australian livestock export industry increases its year-round animal welfare activities to deliver even further improvements in the trade,” official said.