I AM not normally one to criticise our politicians in public, it is a tough job, and we need to work with our leaders to ensure they have the correct information to make informed decisions.
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However, recent comments from the federal Minister of Agriculture [Murray Watt] have compelled me to put pen to paper.
I was president of Sheep Producers Australia in 2018 and understand how the ALP find themselves in the position they are.
Unfortunately for Minister Watt, most people in Australia have little understanding about the sheep live export trade, their only knowledge comes from the images they saw on 60 Minutes in 2018.
We all agree that the conditions on the Awassi Express were horrific, inexcusable and should not have happened, and that 30 seconds of footage continues to haunt Australian sheep producers and the Australian public.
But the recent decision by Minister Watt to ban sheep live export has not been based on current science and current evidence, it is based on an out-of-date policy and political expediency.
This should be of concern to all Australians, not just agriculture.
Minister Watt knows that in 2018 there were three independent enquiries with dozens of recommendations which have all been adopted by the industry, including no trade during the hot summer months, reducing the stocking densities in pens, and increasing minimum airflow throughout the ships.
Since these recommendations have been adopted, the sheep live export industry has had an impeccable record.
Minister Watt also knows that processing all sheep in Australia is not feasible.
Processing plants require long term continual supply of sheep to manage their labor needs and marketing options.
They are not agile enough to quickly increase capacity when there is a sudden increase in supply due to seasonal or market uncertainty.
The industry (particularly in WA) needs options to get sheep off farm quickly and live export has been a successful risk management option.
Shooting and burying unsaleable sheep to ensure the welfare of core breeding stock is not a suitable option.
Phillip Glyde (chair of the Independent Panel charged with formulating a strategy to assist the phase out of live exports) conceded in a Landline interview that the WA sheep industry is unique and poorly understood by people in the eastern states.
WA has a very seasonal supply of sheep and needs a pressure release valve to quickly move sheep when necessary.
The Minister also knows that this live export ban does not just affect WA, it is a national issue affecting thousands of jobs.
The consequence of not having an adequate pressure release valve was apparent last year when concerns about political interference and seasonal conditions led to a lack of confidence by sheep producers across Australia, and a consequent oversupply in the national market.
Many sheep had nowhere to go.
The anti-agriculture groups are already gloating over their "success" and are asking the question "what next?"
Minister Watt, I ask you - what will be next? We need political decisions that are based on current advice and current evidence, not ideology and appeasing poorly informed voters.
- Allan Piggott is the principal of Illoura Sheep Studs, Tailem Bend
