The drover-turned-creator of meat processing giant Fletcher International Exports was yesterday appalled by the vision of Indonesian slaughterhouses aired on national television this week that “alarmed” people across Australia.

While Parliament and industry representatives reacted to the vision, community protest ringing in their ears, Mr Fletcher laid the responsibility for an end to the “unacceptable” practices at the feet of live exporters and offered assurances that “barbaric practices” were not carried out at any Australian abattoir.

An ABC Four Corners report on Indonesian abattoirs hit one mark yesterday when agriculture minister Joe Ludwig prepared to suspend live animal exports to the facilities identified by the evidence gained by Animals Australia, aired in the report.

He will also appoint an independent reviewer to investigate the complete supply chain for live exports up to and including the point of slaughter.

Despite his familiarity with meat processing, Mr Fletcher was shocked by the vision.

“I didn’t think it was in that state, I think (the vision) was staggering,” he said. “Everyone who’s handled animals, we feel they’re part of us.

“We’ve let the animals down.”

Meat and Livestock Australia, LiveCorp and the Cattle Council of Australia rushed to respond to the Four Corners report, condemning the “cruel practices” and committing to co-operating with an Australian government inquiry.

In a joint statement, the chiefs of the three organisations recommitted to improving standards in Indonesia to meet international standards.

Beef abattoirs in the northern half of Australia, from west to east coasts, progressively closed as live exports grew during the past two decades.

A number of domestic sheep abattoirs have also closed but Fletcher International Exports has held on despite up to 300 casual job losses and a cut to shifts at the Dubbo plant in December 2009.

In making the announcement Mr Fletcher, also Australian Wool Innovation deputy chairman, blamed a drought-induced decline in the country’s sheep flock for the cuts.

Dubbo mayor Allan Smith and the RSPCA in the same month pointed the finger at live exports for costing Australian jobs, a claim refuted by LiveCorp boss Cameron Hall.

Four Corners laid bare the live export trade on Monday night and the industry’s defence and pledges did not wash with Mr Fletcher.

RSPCA, Animals Australia and GetUp yesterday confirmed all three organisations’ websites had crashed under huge demand, with up to 2000 visitors per minute accessing the sites.

Mr Fletcher’s phone rang hot yesterday, a local signal of national outrage.

“People are alarmed from one end of the country to the other,” Mr Fletcher said.

Parkes MP Mark Coulton yesterday “completely support(ed)” the minister’s decision and argued against a total live trade ban so Australia could continue to maintain its “influence and presence” in the country.

National Party leader Warren Truss also backed Mr Ludwig and pledged to work with the government to improve animal welfare standards with trading partners, while demanding the industry “use its influence to achieve better results”.

Mr Fletcher wanted governments to take a back seat and put the onus on “the groups who get a living out of this” and compared it with being a local meat processor.

“Australian standards are policed very vigorously,” Mr Fletcher said. “Processors are very conscious of it - we care for our animals. It’s their (live exporters) job to fix it - not yours, or mine or the government’s.”