Albanese Government yet to deliver six months on from Live Sheep Export phase out report
The Australian Alliance for Animals is urging the Albanese Government to announce its plan to phase out the live sheep export trade as the six-month anniversary of the independent panel’s report passes this week.
Alliance spokesperson, Dr Jed Goodfellow, said all stakeholders were desperately seeking certainty, which the Federal Government can provide with the passage of legislation enshrining an end date and allocating funds to assist the industry in completing the transition to chilled meat exports.
“The government has had six months now to analyse the details of the Independent Panel’s report and we know that the longer the phase out is delayed, the more animals will suffer unnecessarily as they’re sent into the stifling conditions of the Middle East and slaughtered without stunning.
“The Labor Party has promised to phase out the trade without delay at the last two federal elections, so it’s past time they delivered on their commitment.
“Phasing out the trade has the overwhelming support of the Australian community, who applauded Labor’s announcement that the trade would cease under an Albanese Government,” Dr Goodfellow said.
The Alliance recently called on the Albanese Government to use the upcoming Federal Budget to announce the legislated date for the phase out, as well as allocate funding to assist with the shift to the chilled meat trade.
“Live exports have been in long-term structural decline for decades so changing to the chilled and frozen lamb and mutton trade will strengthen rural economies, create new jobs and provide producers with a more secure and sustainable income stream.
“Australians want the government to end the live sheep export trade. It is now time for Labor to deliver on their promise and legislate the date,” Dr Goodfellow said.
KEY POINTS
The Independent Panel on the Phase out of Live Sheep Exports submitted its report to government on 25 October 2023 following a six month inquiry, which received over 4,100 submissions
Australians overwhelmingly support the Federal Government’s policy to phase out live sheep exports by sea (78%, McCrindle, 2022)
Almost 44,000 Australians signed a Parliamentary petition – one of the largest official e-Petitions in history – calling on the government to legislate the date to end the cruel trade as soon as possible (August 2023)
The live export trade is in long-term structural decline and accounts for 0.1% of Australia’s agricultural exports
Australian chilled sheep meat exports are 58 times the value of the live sheep export trade ($4.5 billion v $77 million, 22/23, ABS).
The chilled sheep meat export trade to the Middle East alone is 8 times the value of the entire live sheep export trade ($632 million v $77 million, 22/23, ABS).
NOTES FOR MEDIA
Media contact: Bron Matherson, 0438 844 765
Dr Goodfellow is available for interviews:
Dr Jed Goodfellow leads the Alliance’s law and policy reform agenda. He has over 20 years’ experience in animal welfare law, policy and advocacy. He completed his PhD in animal welfare regulation in 2015.
About the Australian Alliance for Animals
The Australian Alliance for Animals is a national charity leading a strategic alliance of Australia’s key animal protection organisations with a combined supporter base of over 2 million people. Core members include Animals Australia, Humane Society International Australia, World Animal Protection Australia, Compassion in World Farming, FOUR PAWS Australia, and Voiceless, the animal protection institute. Website: www.allianceforanimals.org.au.