Alliance Opposes Proposed Live Export Ban Backflip
Morrison Government Proposes Winding Back Crucial Reforms in Live Export Trade Exposing Sheep to Certain Suffering
The Australian Alliance for Animals is today calling on the Morrison Government to scrap plans to wind back crucial reforms that prohibit the export of sheep to the Middle East during the deadly Northern Summer period.
Current regulations, introduced in the wake of the 2017 Awassi Express disaster in which 2,400 sheep died of heat stress, prohibit the trade from 1 June to 14 September when heat in the region is at its most oppressive.
But last week, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment advised animal welfare groups of plans to significantly shorten the prohibited period to allow more sheep to be sent into the height of the Middle Eastern summer during the months of June and September.
Alliance for Animals’ Policy Director Dr Jed Goodfellow said the proposal was alarming and if implemented will guarantee further animal suffering.
“It is inconceivable that the Morrison Government would even be entertaining this move at the current time,
“The evidence is overwhelmingly clear that temperatures in the Middle East during the Northern Summer will far exceed the ‘Heat Stress Thresholds’ of Australian sheep – it’s written in the Department’s own review papers,
“All six voyages during the shoulder months of the prohibited period over the past two years, which included an independent government observer, documented heat stress in sheep,
“The 2020 Al Kuwait voyage, which was given an exemption to sail during the month of June, recorded severe heat stress in approximately 1,000 sheep with open mouth panting, tongues protruding, extremely laboured respiration, and a distressed demeanour,
“If the Department was following the evidence, they would be proposing to extend the prohibited period, not shorten it,
“It is clear the Department of Agriculture is again placing the economic interests of exporters over animal welfare,
“Unfortunately, animal welfare will always play second fiddle when Departments of Agriculture and Ministers for Agriculture are in charge,
“This is why Australia needs to establish an independent Commission for Animal Welfare – animals, and the millions of Australians who care about them, will not get a fair go until that happens.
ENDS
NOTES FOR MEDIA
For all media, photo and interview inquiries, please contact Media Advisor Lorna Edwards on 0401 804 171 or email media@allianceforanimals.org.au.
Dr Goodfellow is available for interviews:
Dr Jed Goodfellow leads the Alliance’s law and policy reform agenda. He has over 20 years’ experience in animal welfare law, policy and advocacy, and has played a leading role in the campaign to end live exports. He completed his PhD in animal welfare regulation in 2015.
About the Australian Alliance for Animals
The Australian Alliance for Animals is a national registered charity leading a strategic alliance of Australia’s key animal protection organisations with a combined supporter base of over 2 million people. Website: www.allianceforanimals.org.au
Animals transported by sea from Australia to the Middle East. Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur/Israel Against Live Shipments/We Animals Media (2018).
Director, Policy and Government Relations Dr Jed Goodfellow.