AVA representatives have attended Senator Murray Watt’s briefing on the phase out of live sheep exports.
Watt, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, formally announced the beginning of consultation, seeking views on a transition plan from stakeholders including the AVA.
A consultation report will be published by September next year, and an expert panel (chaired by senior public servant Phillip Glyde) will provide advice to the Minister on how the phasing out of live sheep export should occur, and when the practice should cease.
“Phasing out live sheep exports by sea is a complex issue that will impact farmers, businesses, our trading partners, and the communities that participate in the trade,” Sen Watt said in a statement.
“I am also conscious that the wider Australian community is interested in the phase out, including those that want to see animal welfare maintained and improved.”
Vets Against Live Export (VALE) has welcomed the announcement, however the group wants a rapid cessation of live export, with spokesperson Sue Foster calling for a “phase out as soon as feasibly possible.”
Foster said she anticipates the live export industry to protest the changes and cite high standards of welfare.
“It is true that Australia does have the world’s best standards, but they are regularly breached by this industry,” she said.
“Independent observers reported breaches on 75 per cent of accompanied Middle East ship voyages.”
Foster added that several common factors are unchanging on live export voyages.
“What never changes is the inherent conditions on these ships: ship movement, 24-hour lighting and 90dB noise for 20 plus days, faecal ‘bedding’ and head stress,” she said.
“Even with the changes implemented since 2018, 38 out of 41 voyages accompanied by independent observers have reported heat stress … the ships are not air-conditioned, and no amount of ventilation helps when the ambient conditions exceed a sheep’s heat stress threshold.”
SAM WORRAD