Here is the response I received from the agriculture department. Personally I think it's a load of cods wallop, this is just another poor excuse at trying to say "it's ok for animals to be ill treated" WELL BJ, it bloody isn't, we don't want better facilities offshore, we want them here, less stress, pain and agony for these beautiful animals. Dear Ms Margetts Thank you for your recent correspondence to the deputy prime minister and minister for Agriculture and water resources, the hon. Barnaby Joyce MP, raising your concerns about the livestock export trade in Vietnam. During the election period, the department is replying to correspondence addressed to the deputy prime minister. I am aware of reports that Australian cattle are being supplied to non - approved abattoirs in the Phy Xuygen district of Vietnam and that handling and slaughter practices at some exporter supply chain assurance system (ESCAS) approved abattoirs do not meet ESCAS requirements. The department of agriculture and water resources takes all reported breaches of animal welfare standards very seriously. The first priority is to ensure the humane handling of all animals exported from Australia. A thorough investigation of evidence provided by Animals Australia has commenced, backed by the full force of the department's regulatory authority. While this investigation is underway, the department has directed exporters to suspend supply of Australian cattle to 18 abattoirs and feedlots in Vietnam. These suspensions will remain in place until the investigation is complete or appropriate action has been taken. In the meantime the department is also conducting audits of exporters' management of their control and traceability systems in Vietnam. While there is no doubt that the images shown on television and on-line are highly distressing, I would like to assure you that this is not typical of the treatment of Australian livestock in foreign markets. ESCAS is the only system in the world that requires exporters to use facilities tha meet international animal welfare standards and ensure all exported animals are accounted for and stay within approved supply chains to the point of slaughter in the importing country. Under ESCAS, the livestock industry has delivered training to more than 8000 people working in supply chains to Asia and the Middle East, including animal welfare officers, who help improve animal handling and husbandry techniques and increase the use of stunning equipment. For example in Vietnam the use of stunning, prior to killing, is now the practise in all approved supply chains. This is a direct result of ESCAS animal welfare performance measure and targets. Thank you for taking the time to contact the deputy prime minister in relation to this important matter. Yours sincerely.. Narelle Clegg. Assistant secretary Live animals exports branch.