Agriculture Minister of Australia, Joel Fitzgibbon, has announced there will be a new scrutiny on live animal trade. The move comes after calls for enhancing the industry following mistreatment of animals in 2011.

Mr. Fitzgibbn said that a new position called the inspector-general would be established, in order to restore public faith and public confidence" in the trade, which has attracted controversy.

This would be an "important layer of independence to the regulatory system", Mr Fitzgibbon was quoted as saying by Yahoo News Australia.

The federal government is seeking a memorandum of understanding with new players in the market to import Australian livestock.

The ban on Australia's live cattle exports was implemented after claims of animal mistreatment emerged in 2011. This was an embarrassment for the cattle industry while producers urged for a call to action.

"It is difficult for industry to comment on the merits or otherwise ... and whether it will deliver the assurances required," chief Australian Livestock Exporters' Council, Alison Penfold told citing a lack of detail in the announcement.