24 October 2013 STATEMENT RE BAN LIVE EXPORT POSTCARD ON SINGAPORE KORBAN The Ban Live Export Facebook Page

is promoting a postcard of photos purported to be of Australian sheep slaughtered in approved Exporter Supply Chain Assurance (ESCAS) systems during the religious festival of Korban in Singapore. The Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) has grave concerns that the information presented does not accurately reflect the treatment, handling and slaughter of Australian sheep in Singapore for Korban this year. In the absence of details of the date, time, location and mosque where the photos were taken, it is very difficult to interrogate the veracity and origin of the photos. The images portray a scenario inconsistent with the practices undertaken at the 18 approved mosques which were each overseen by Singaporean Government representatives from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), auditors and Australian animal welfare specialists. A consignment of 2,800 sheep was sent by air to Singapore on 13 October and delivered to 18 approved Mosques. Prior to Korban, temporary holding pens and processing areas were set up in each of the Mosques. Operations were supervised by government veterinary authorities in Singapore. Due to the limited availability of Australian sheep for Korban this year, Singapore imported sheep from Canada. Efforts were made by Singaporean officials to replicate the Australian slaughter facilities for these sheep in the 5 separate mosques but the welfare outcomes are unknown. In order to clarify this matter, it is critical that the Ban Live Export Page Administrators immediately release the date, time, location and name of the mosque where the photos were taken in order to investigate the claims made or otherwise withdraw the image from circulation. Transparency by Ban Live Export is the only way that the veracity of the claims made can be established. ALEC would welcome direct engagement to resolve the matter. Ends Contact: Alison Penfold 0408 633 026