Live export and independent observer reporting: are reporting timeframes relevant for innovation and change?

During August of 2017, the Awassi Express triggered a massive shift in Australia's animal welfare policy landscape following the death of 2400 sheep during export to the Middle East. Following industry reviews, Independent Observers (IOs) were introduced into the live export industry in April of 2018. A review of monitoring and reporting during livestock export voyages carried out by the Inspector General of Live Animal Exports (2020) focused on the effectiveness and efficiency of monitoring and reporting, impact on managing risks to animal welfare in export voyages and how the current arrangements can be improved. A major finding of this review was concern over the time taken to publish IO voyage reports, and the negative impact of delayed feedback on exporters and the wider community. The review contained a comprehensive response from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) which pointed to issues brought about by the short amount of time available for the IO program development and implementation. With respect to the time taken for IO reports to be published, systems surrounding data acquisition, collation and verification were highlighted as constraints.