On a fact-finding trip to the UK last August-September, I obtained a copy of The IWTO Guidelines for Wool Sheep Welfare (April 2013, UK). IWTO stands for International Wool Textile Organisation, of which Australia is a member. It makes for interesting reading.

My attention was drawn to OIE's (World Organisation for Animal Health, of which Australia is also a member nation) definition of animal welfare and 'The 5 Freedoms', which are:

1. Freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition - through ready access to fresh water and a diet sufficient to maintain full health and vigour.

2. Freedom from discomfort - through provision of an appropriately sheltered and comfortable environment.

3. Freedom from pain, injury and disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.

4. Freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour - through provision of sufficient space, suitable facilities and company of the animal's own kind.

5. Freedom from fear and distress - ensuring conditions and treatments imposed avoid mental suffering.

Surely these freedoms are denied animals exported live, during the period they're at sea, and once on shore to mostly countries which have poor animal welfare records.

Australia's recent successful legal action against Japanese whaling is to be applauded but why does the federal government ignore what is happening on our own doorstep? The answer to export of live cattle and sheep meat is to have animals processed onshore in Australia.

H Paul Simons AM

Yass