MANY anti-live export images and descriptions of images and video footage taken by anti-live export and animal rights groups are incorrect, according to specialist live export veterinarian Peter Arnold.
Mr Arnold, an industry veteran, said he watched recent video footage that was provided to ABC television by anti-live exports campaigners, sparking widespread outrage.
"I have been involved in the industry for more than 40 years," Mr Arnold said.
"I watched that footage and like everyone else I don't like those images - but they were hand picked, selected images."
Mr Arnold said animals were well looked after on board vessels.
From his experience as a live export veterinarian, he did not agree with the recent descriptions used in reports by the media.
"What appears to be awful is not to the educated eye," he said.
"I am not talking about the abattoir images, I am referring to the on-board conditions that we see in the media such as them sitting in their own faecal matter.
"It is cleaned every three to five days and actually it is quite comfortable for them; they don't mind it."
VALE spokeswoman and WA vet Sue Foster said as recently as last year Australian veterinarians had witnessed livestock forced to endure unacceptable conditions on ships.
Dr Foster said nothing had changed in the time since the recent evidence was collected - most of the exporters, regulations and ships were the same.
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) said it was absolutely critical veterinarians on live export ships were employed by a third party.
They are responsible for enforcing compliance with welfare regulations and must be able to do their jobs, said AVA president Robert Johnson.
He said it was a positive sign that exporters were looking to engage with the veterinarians to seek improvements.
Mr Arnold said communication about on-board activities and animal health were of high standards and he never felt "bullied" by exporters.
"We are not just your corner store vets - the vets on board are very experienced," he said.
Mr Arnold said there was a very important distinction between on-board deaths, which were largely unpreventable regardless of a vet's presence and those caused by disease, which could be prevented by a vet on a long-haul trip.
"In my experience most deaths are due to misadventure," he said.
"For example two bulls fighting; these are animals after all.
"The only time you have disease is from the stress of shipping, which is alleviated by density and suitability of the animal.
"It's the same for us when we get on an airplane and we get the common cold; we treat it, get over it in a few days and it's not a drama."
Mr Arnold said he remembers his first live export voyage in 1971 like it was yesterday, which carried 23,000 sheep to Iran on a 23-day journey.
"We lost about one per cent, it was a virgin industry then and things have improved since then," he said.
"These images we see now in the media are not the true reality, you see an individual case and not the herd, which arrived safe, healthy and well.
"In this footage, you never see the shipload of cattle, it is always an individual case - it is never the true story.
"The animals on board are very comfortable - it is far from the image that's presented."
Mr Arnold said allegations about stocking density regulations were incorrect and in fact had increased, and (vessels) are only two thirds full for sheep.
According to the Australian Standards for Export of Livestock regulations, the pen stocking density must be checked regularly throughout the voyage and adjustments made as required.
Mr Arnold said the best measure to improve the industry was education.
"If an airplane crashed, you don't stop all planes from flying," Mr Arnold said.
"It is the same with live export, we need to overcome it, keep teaching and upgrading and educating these markets.
"You don't stop it, because they will just find other animals (from other countries).
"Animal welfare groups don't want to develop, progress, assist or educate these markets.
"We require this trade, we shouldn't have to bow our head in shame, these reports are not the full story."