The footage, filmed in abattoirs in Turkey, has not been released yes but it is believed it shows breaches of the standards of the World Organisation of Animal Health - standards that Australia now demands of Indonesian abattoirs taking Australian cattle.

Animals Australia, which uncovered the cruelty in Indonesia, completed an initial assessment of slaughter practices in Turkey in the past two weeks.

It had planned to give the vision directly to the minister, but when it told Senator Ludwig's chief of staff yesterday, he issued a media release, prompting Animals Australia to make a statement last night.

''The need for the investigation became clear when Meat & Livestock Australia admitted that they had little knowledge of distribution networks or routine handling and slaughter practices in Turkey,'' Animals Australia said.

''The investigation was conducted to ensure that the two inquiries into the live export trade currently under way were provided with information relating to any relevant welfare issues in Turkey.''

Almost 100,000 head of cattle were exported to Turkey between July 2010 and March, MLA figures say.

''Investigators were not able to confirm that animals documented in this footage were Australian - only that Australian animals are handled and slaughtered at these facilities,'' Animals Australia said.

The group will brief Senator Ludwig's chief of staff today and further information will be provided to a Senate inquiry, which is holding a public hearing in Parliament today, and to an independent inquiry conducted by former Indonesian ambassador Bill Farmer into all live export markets.

A vessel with 3000 cattle is due to leave Darwin today. It is the first ship to leave since the ban was lifted on July 6.

It was reported yesterday the government intended to boost help to cattle farmers by $70 million.

Senator Ludwig's office made no comment on the report.