Historic legislation to end suffering of sheep passes the House of Representatives
The path to ending the suffering of sheep is one step further along as Members of the Australian House of Representatives have today passed legislation to enshrine the phase out of the live sheep export trade.
Australian Alliance for Animals spokesperson Dr Jed Goodfellow congratulated Members of Parliament on the passage of the legislation and urged all Senators to vote for the bill when it is listed for debate in the upper house.
“This is historic legislation that will end the suffering of sheep through this cruel and unnecessary trade and provide a generous transition package for producers and the industry.
“This legislation is fair and common-sense, carefully balancing the needs of industry and providing a more humane future for Australian sheep.
“We know that live exports have been in long-term structural decline for decades. Included in the legislation is a $107 million adjustment package that will give confidence to the domestic meat processing sector while supporting them through the transition period.
“An overwhelming majority of Australians support this legislation and are now counting on the Senate to back it so the suffering of sheep through live exports will finally come to an end.
“Australia knows there is a better way, this legislation delivers it,” Dr Goodfellow said.
BACKGROUND POINTS
The Independent Panel on the Phase out of Live Sheep Exports submitted its report to government on 25 October 2023 following a six month inquiry, which received over 4,100 submissions
Australians overwhelmingly support the Federal Government’s policy to phase out live sheep exports by sea (78%, McCrindle, 2022)
Almost 44,000 Australians signed a Parliamentary petition – one of the largest official e-Petitions in history – calling on the government to legislate the date to end the cruel trade as soon as possible (August 2023)
The live export trade is in long-term structural decline and accounts for 0.1% of Australia’s agricultural exports
Australian chilled sheep meat exports are 58 times the value of the live sheep export trade ($4.5 billion v $77 million, 22/23, ABS).
The chilled sheep meat export trade to the Middle East alone is 8 times the value of the entire live sheep export trade ($632 million v $77 million, 22/23, ABS).
NOTES FOR MEDIA
Media contact: Bron Matherson, 0438 844 765
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. He completed his PhD in animal welfare regulation in 2015.
About the Australian Alliance for Animals
The Australian Alliance for Animals is a national charity leading a strategic alliance of Australia’s key animal protection organisations with a combined supporter base of over 2 million people. Core members include Animals Australia, Humane Society International Australia, World Animal Protection Australia, Compassion in World Farming, FOUR PAWS Australia, and Voiceless, the animal protection institute. Website: www.allianceforanimals.org.au.