Emanuel’s new vet a shining star

Embattled live sheep exporter Emanuel Exports has engaged a welfare-focused vet in an effort to rectify its public image.

Emanuel’s newly-appointed corporate governance and compliance officer, Holly Ludeman, spearheaded a tour with MPs at Fremantle Port and aboard Rural Export and Trading WA’s Al Messilah last Thursday.

Nationals WA leader Mia Davies and One Nation’s Robin Scott were among MPs in attendance at the event, which was part of the livestock exporter’s transparency project, launched in December, to breakdown stigmas associated with the live export trade.

Dr Ludeman, who recently completed a journey with RETWA from Australia to Kuwait to gather animal welfare data and footage, said while Emanuels were not absolved from the controversial Awassi Express leak, the company was making positive headway.

“The Awassi footage was appalling to everyone in the industry,” she said.

“It made me more determined to demonstrate the reality I had previously seen as an (Australian accredited veterinarian), but I needed to see the supply chain for myself before I could continue to accept this role.

“RETWA and (parent company Kuwait Livestock Transport and Trading) opened their doors and allowed me to review, film and interview all sectors to show the real story.

“This is an important side of the story that Australians need to be given the opportunity see.

“The industry and especially Emanuel need to be an open book to gain producer and community trust again.”

Dr Ludeman entered the livestock export industry six years ago through an operations and compliance manager role with Livestock Shipping Services.

In 2017, she was awarded the Landmark International/ALEC Young Achiever of the Year title at the LIVEXchange conference, while working as a compliance and welfare manager with Harmony Agriculture and Food Company.