Leveraging Blockchain technology solutions for Live Animal Export Reporting

Australia’s peak body for veterinarians, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), is urging the government to implement better and more transparent live export reporting systems so that the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) can act on these reports appropriately and without delay.

AVA President, Dr. Paula Parker, said that the Association has been calling for urgent changes to protect the health and welfare of animals exported to the Middle East during the northern hemisphere summer.

“The AVA will be inviting all live export stakeholders to gather to discuss how technology can be leveraged to revolutionise animal health and welfare reporting and data collection on live export vessels,” she said.

Minister Littleproud has publicly committed to ensuring industry, government and the regulator fulfill their responsibilities to ensure the health and welfare of livestock aboard Live Export Vessels.

When veterinarians are on board live export vessels they provide daily and end of voyage reports to the regulator, DAWR, on the state of animal health and welfare.

“It is imperative that DAWR can act on these reports as quickly as possible.

“Leveraging technology solutions, such as Blockchain technology, is critical to ensuring that the changes that are made to reporting are fit for 2018 and beyond,” she said.

A Blockchain is a distributed, digital data ledger that stores information, known as blocks. Blocks can store various types of information, for example, in the case of live animal export, it can store animal welfare indicators, treatment records, stocking densities and automated readings from temperature and humidity monitoring devices. The blocks, collectively known as a ‘Blockchain’, are stored on distributed databases, and linked through encryption technology. This ensures that records are immutable and verifiable, which means that no single person or entity can manipulate the ledger or database without everyone else knowing. Furthermore, once a new block is added it can’t be changed, which results in data accuracy and maintenance.

“Research is currently underway on how veterinarians on board live export ships can also utilise app-based animal health and welfare reporting. Combining this with Blockchain technology means the data captured can be accessed in real-time and facilitates the level of transparency Minister Littleproud has called for.

“This real-time reporting makes it easier for the regulator to act quickly on animal health and welfare concerns flagged through this reporting.

“The data also forms part of a big data set that can be used for ongoing scientific research and inform science-based continuous improvements.

“We call on the government to take the lead on this as a possible solution to fast-track real-time reporting,” Dr. Parker said.

The AVA policy on live export states:

Ideally, Australian food animals should be slaughtered as close to the site of production as practicable to minimise transport and handling stress, and to ensure they are protected by appropriate and enforceable animal welfare and slaughter standards.

Where live export occurs, an Australian-registered shipboard veterinarian must accompany each shipment and this veterinarian must be independent and thus not employed by either the exporting company or the shipping company. Pregnancy testing of animals for export must be performed by an Australian-registered veterinarian.

Effective operational protocols must be in place at all times to safeguard the welfare of exported animals. These protocols must ensure humane animal transport, handling and slaughter practices in accordance with best practice; and include accreditation of abattoirs, training of employees and the implementation of an independent animal welfare auditing process.

Animals should not be subjected to prolonged land transport prior to exportation.

For further information and requests for interviews contact the AVA media office on 0439 628 898 or media@ava.com.au.

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is the only national association representing veterinarians in Australia. Founded in 1921, the AVA today represents 9000 members working in all areas of animal science, health, and welfare.