A baa-d decision?

FARMERS and farm advocacy groups have raised concerns over a recent announcement by the Federal Government, that live sheep sea exports will be banned in just a few years’ time.

Earlier this month, the Government announced a $107 million Federal transition support package for the Australian sheep industry, supporting the phase out of live sheep exports by sea.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Murray Watt, said legislation would be introduced in this term of Parliament to see the practice end on 1 May 2028.

“We are giving certainty to sheep producers and the supply chain by legislating the date, and putting $107 million on the table to enable an orderly and well-planned transition away from the trade,” Minister Watt said.

“This is a comprehensive package that will assist to strengthen supply chains, develop market opportunities and improve animal welfare.

“With the Australian sheepmeat sector booming, our sheep industry has a bright future.

“This support will help it continue to grow, creating more local jobs through increased value adding.

“Transition support is focused on helping affected individuals, businesses, and communities to plan for, respond and adjust to the phase out.

“Importantly, it will be available to help all parts of the sheep industry supply chain, from farmers, to truckies, to shearers and processors.

“We are putting support on the table now so that people can start planning and acting now.”

But the Victorian Farmers Federation say the decision has “wiped out” farmers, and could have dire consequences in Victoria and across the country.

“The flow-on impact of this decision simply cannot be underestimated and couldn’t come at a worse time with many Western Australian farmers battling severe drought,” VFF President Emma Germano said.

“Undoubtably there will be direct impacts, none-the-less the livelihoods and generational farmers that have been destroyed. That is devastating and the mental health impacts will sadly be enormous.

“Decisions like this don’t actually improve animal welfare outcomes. It’s ignoring the fact that Australian farmers are world-leaders in animal welfare practices and are regulated using science-based methods.”

Local Fiskville sheep farmer Scott Young agrees with Ms Germano.

“It’s definitely going to impact us, it’s going to take away a market for Western Australian producers, and those animals will then flow on to the eastern states,” he said.

“The biggest concern I have is that the decision has been made despite the industry improving since the incident in 2017 [where around 2400 sheep died on the Awassi Express].

“The industry realised it wasn’t up to scratch, and made a whole suite of improvements.

“The industry has very low mortality rates and is valuable for many farmers across Australia…our concern is also what’s next on the Government’s agenda, if an industry like this can be closed down in this way.”