Senator RHIANNON: I understand that AMSA is responsible for monitoring flagged vessels compliant with safety and environment protection standards, including the safe carriage of livestock as cargo. Is that correct?
Mr Prosser : That is correct.
Senator RHIANNON: Under the Australian standards for the export of livestock, who is responsible for on-board ship inspections of livestock vessels in Western Australian ports?

Senator RHIANNON: With regard to Animal Health Australia's newly launched National Farm Biosecurity Technical Manual for Egg Production, in the document in section 23 on free-range production operations, page 26, it states: 'Some AI'-avian influenza-'of the H5 ... subtypes ... have in the past caused EAD outbreaks in the Australian egg industry'. I was just interested in whether you can supply details of the number of recorded cases of AI in the Australian egg industry.

CHAIR: Senator Rhiannon.

Commenting on the news that Racing Queensland has stood down another 23 greyhound trainers in the wake of the live baiting scandal last month, Greens Animal Welfare Spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

“The dismissal of another 23 trainers exposes the degree of animal abuse and the crisis that is gripping the greyhound industry.

“This comes after 13 Queensland greyhound trainers were stood down following a Four Corners program last month which showed footage of live baiting at Tom Noble’s unregistered training property in Churchable about 55km west of Brisbane.

 The Australian Senate has supported a Greens motion that recognises that activist gag laws would shut down scrutiny of animal cruelty.

Australian Greens animal welfare spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has welcomed the passage of the motion.

Senator Rhiannon (New South Wales) (11:55): I move

Lee's opinion piece on sport hunting was published today.

The sport hunting and shooting of native animals for fun in Africa is no longer out of sight, out of mind.

Last week, there were revelations that some of our sporting heroes, men who represent Australia on the international stage, playing the game of cricket we love so dearly, are now the ones doing the killing and the posing.

Senator RHIANNON: Which countries currently import kangaroo products?

Dr V Findlay : There are 68 countries. Just let me find my list, but I am not sure you want me to read out all 68.

Senator RHIANNON: No, I do not want you to read them out. Could you take it on notice, and could it include what kangaroo product is imported, the weight of the imports for each of those products and the financial value of each product, and could that be since June 2013?

Dr V Findlay : Yes, we have that information available.

Commenting on Four Corners ‘Making a Killing' which has exposed evidence of extreme animal abuse in the greyhound industry as a result of investigations by Animals Australia and Animal Liberation Australia Queensland, Greens spokesperson for animal welfare Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

"The Greens join animal protection groups in calling on state racing bodies to instigate life bans on individuals found guilty of live baiting, and for specialist government task forces to take over the regulation of the industry.

The Greens will be working closely with animal welfare groups to ensure Liberal Senator Chris Back's bill to prosecute whistleblowers and investigators who expose animal cruelty is not passed.