The move follows campaigning by animal rights groups who urged farmers to boycott selling to live exporters in the lead up to the festival due to the mishandling of animals by locals.

At the time Meat and Livestock Australia argued that during normal trading with large-scale Middle Eastern processors animal welfare standards were high, but the situation was made difficult during the festival when individuals routinely purchased sheep from feedlots for home slaughter.

However, the BLC has now announced that anyone arriving at the feedlot intending to transport sheep in cars will be refused and will only be sold sheep once they return with the proper truck transport.

"We are working with MLA and LiveCorp to improve animal welfare and community understanding of how to transport Australian animals," said Bahrain Livestock Company chairman Ebrahim Mohamed Ali Zainal.

"We are seeing improvements and have already turned away people who wanted to transport sheep in their car.

"These people were asked to return with acceptable transport."

BLC, with MLA and LiveCorp's help, has developed advertising and posters with clear instructions on the proper handling and transport of live animals.

"Strong local support is crucial in improving animal welfare in the Middle East," said Australian animal welfare expert Peter Dundon, who is based in the region.

"Whilst Australia provides training and support in the marketplace, it is actions like this BLC initiative that have the capacity to change individual practices and influence the broader Middle Eastern community.

"I'll be at the feedlot with some of our Australian experts to help as much as we can and provide instruction on correct handling of Australian animals.

"We are confident in BLC's ability to ensure Australian animals are transported appropriately from the feedlot during the festival."

The Eid Al Adha festival runs for three days in December 2008.