THE federal Parliament has passed legislation to end the export of live sheep by sea, marking a significant step forward in animal welfare.<\/p>\n
The law, supported by a $107 million transition support package, is set to take full effect by May 1, 2028.<\/p>\n
Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker said that for years now, residents across the Geelong region had called out the live sheep export trade, describing it as cruel and inhumane.<\/p>\n
“This is especially true for locals in my electorate of Corangamite.<\/p>\n
“Since the people of Corangamite elected me as their representative in the federal government, they’ve been writing to my office, calling the trade ‘barbaric and disgusting’.”<\/p>\n
“Many of them added their signatures to last year’s 40,000-strong petition calling for a phase-out of live sheep exports.”<\/p>\n
“Through this petition and the many that came before, Australians have told government they want the trade to end, and the Albanese Labor government has listened.”<\/p>\n
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said the passage of the legislation fulfilled a longstanding commitment.<\/p>\n
“Live sheep exports by sea from Australia have been plummeting over the past 20 years.<\/p>\n
“It’s an industry that’s been in long-term decline with the evolution of global food supply chains, and it now represents less than 1 per cent of Western Australia’s agriculture sector.”<\/p>\n
At the same time, demand for Australian lamb and mutton is soaring both domestically and internationally.<\/p>\n
Mr Watt said that the future lies in high-value onshore processing rather than live exports.<\/p>\n
“Our sheepmeat exports are worth $4.5 billion and the domestic industry worth $3.5 billion, while the live trade is worth just $77 million,” Mr Watt said.<\/p>\n
“Enhancing demand for Australian sheep products here in Australia and in other international markets is a key component of our transition plan.<\/p>\n
“I’m confident that the transition package will continue to take the sheep industry and the communities of Western Australia forward.”<\/p>\n
Australian Livestock Exporters Council chief executive Mark Harvey said live sheep exporters were not pleased with the outcome.<\/p>\n
“We have consistently said this policy, if implemented, would be crossing a red line.<\/p>\n
“The sector is mobilised, united and furious.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE federal Parliament has passed legislation to end the export of live sheep by sea, marking a significant step forward in animal welfare. The law, supported by a $107 million transition support package, is set to take full effect by May 1, 2028. Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker said that for years now, residents […]<\/p>\n