Veterinarians working inside Australia's export abattoirs have revealed shocking instances of animal cruelty, including an incident where more than 100 sheep died from hypothermia after a nine-hour journey through heavy rain in 2022. Leaked documents show government vets have repeatedly raised concerns internally about 'profound problems' in the oversight of the export meat industry.
Internal records and accounts from five whistleblower vets expose a system they say is failing. One described the sheep deaths as 'horrific', yet the transport company faced no penalty beyond a reminder to minimise weather impacts. Other breaches, such as a cow with a decomposing calf stuck in its pelvic canal, went unreported to state regulators; instead, superiors apologised to the abattoir owners after the vet intervened.
An understaffing crisis has left some abattoirs unmonitored for long periods, according to vets in New South Wales. More than half of the state's export abattoir vets filed a joint complaint, warning the situation risked breaching trade obligations. Powers to detect and act on welfare breaches have been watered down, including rule changes restricting vets' access to pens.
At least one vet has been diagnosed with PTSD, feeling isolated and unsupported, while others report bullying and intimidation. Multiple whistleblower complaints over four years have triggered two formal investigations within the Department of Agriculture, which administers the on-plant veterinarian program.
The federal agriculture department rejected allegations that the program's integrity is compromised, stating it is adequately staffed and takes regulatory action where appropriate. However, leaked documents show that even when significant incidents are referred to state regulators, they often go unpunished.
