Lee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I direct my question to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig. Considering your department is currently investigating a reported breach of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System in Indonesia involving Australian cattle—when Meat and Livestock Australia consultants were allegedly present but I understand did not report the breaches to you or your department and the breach was reported by Animals Australia—and, further, that in Senate estimates Meat and Livestock Australia stated that it was not their role to report breaches of ESCAS; and, given that Meat and Livestock Australia consultants are on the ground in importing countries, often in the absence of any other government staff, is it your expectation that they will advise your government if they observe or suspect any breaches of ESCAS?