The live export industry has undergone a “monumental shift” in the past six weeks, according to Sheep Producers Australia president Allan Piggott, Moorlands.
“We have seen a cultural change,” he said.
“Sheep producers were extremely disappointed with the horrific scenes and will not put their sheep on boats unless they know they are being well looked after, so exporters are now working hard to rebuild their trust and confidence.”
He welcomed the 23 recommendations from the McCarthy review.
“We have come to a solution that has the welfare of the sheep as the highest priority while ensuring the ongoing trade for Australia and overseas,” he said.
He was confident the recommended 28 per cent reduction in stocking densities was based on industry evidence and would provide assurances for the sheep industry, along with the independent observer.
“If a plane crashes they don’t stop people flying but rather look at the safety regulations, it is about continuous improvement,” he said.
Mr Piggott did not accept the RSPCA’s claim live export was a dying trade in SA, with the decline in numbers in the past decade driven instead by a dwindling sheep flock.
“As long as we get the welfare right, the demand will continue to be there from overseas, especially with the United Arab Emirates re-entering the market,” he said.
“We have seen a lot of delegations from the Middle East to Canberra extremely concerned about food security, and the cost of processing livestock in Australia is a real issue.”
Welfare ignored in pursuit of profits
THE state branch of the RSPCA has accused the federal government of putting “economics ahead of animal welfare” in its handling of live sheep exports to the Middle East.
But industry says the recommendations of the McCarthy review will enable industry reform while maintaining the crucial trade.
RSPCA SA animal welfare advocate Rebekah Eyers says it is disappointing the federal government will not commit to phasing out long-haul live sheep shipments and she is continuing to push for an immediate ban on exports during the northern hemisphere summer months.
In the past six weeks, she says more than 100,000 sheep loaded at Port Adelaide have gone into “predictable suffering”, with temperatures potentially exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
“To get the best animal welfare outcomes, even farmers will tell you animals for food should be slaughtered as close as possible to their source property, so sending animals halfway around the world makes no sense,” she said.
She says the heat stress risk is greater for sheep loaded in SA, as they are on the ship four to eight days longer than those loaded in WA.
“The secretary of the Department of Agriculture has sent animals in the past few weeks and is continuing to send animals knowing they cannot guarantee their basic welfare rights, which is a condition of granting these export permits.”
She said the McCarthy review ignored science, and stocking densities on boats needed to be halved to ensure access to food and water.
“At the 28 per cent (reduction) it is only another two A4 pieces of paper of room,” she said.
Dr Eyers says the majority of farmers in SA have already transitioned away from the live trade, with the state’s chilled meat exports worth 20 times more than live exports.
“A few farmers have approached us wanting changes to the National Vendor Declarations to say they don’t want their sheep going on boats,” she said.
But South East Australian Live Exporters Association chairperson Jane Lutt says any restrictions on the trade would have a “ripple effect” on the state’s economy and employment.
“Live export does not only ‘support’ the farmer and exporter, but many other businesses along the way,” she said.
She said no one liked to see animals suffering and the industry was continually investing to improve welfare.
