Live export industry gathers in Darwin

The livestock export industry has been upbeat and optimistic about its future, while acknowledging the challenges it is facing, at the two day LIVEXchange conference in Darwin attended by 400 delegates.

The charity auction held at the gala dinner also raised almost $150,000, to be shared between the Greg Smith Family Trust and Family of Seafarers Foundation.

LIVEXchange is run by LiveCorp and the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Association (ALEC), this year in conjunction with the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters’ Association (NTLEA). The theme was From here to there together, strengthening foundations and creating connections.

NTLEA CEO Tom Dawkins said feedback had been very positive, and congratulated LiveCorp, ALEC and the local committee.

“It was great to have the industry conference back in Darwin; the intersection between northern Australia and South East Asia,” Mr Dawkins said.

“We had a lot of international speakers and delegates, as well as people from all over the country and parts of the supply chain, and we thank everyone who supported and attended the event.

“The discussions confirmed our ongoing commitment to our customers, our animals and everyone working with us the industry both here and overseas.”

Conference highlights included keynote speaker Major General Stephen Day, an address by Carolina Cucurella from the European Livestock and Meat Trades Union, and video messages from Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Murray Watt and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann.

Panel sessions started with a look at the lessons learnt since the trade’s shutdown in 2011 and finished with a group of young participants along the supply chain looking to the future they want and see for the industry. Other speakers covered topics such as biosecurity, buffalo, sustainability and best practice regulation.

Videos of all the presentations will be available on the LiveCorp YouTube channel and this website in coming weeks.