The government in Australia has set the date to ban live export of sheep, ending the cruel transport of sheep by sea.
A multi-year plan has been implemented and the exports are set to stop on May 1, 2028.
According to vegan charity PETA, the move follows ‘decades of work by intrepid investigators, dedicated campaigners, and supporters of PETA entities around the world’.
The charity added that repeated investigations into Australia’s live-export industry have found examples of severe animal suffering.
Among them, are documented cases of animals enduring ‘dehydration, starvation, and illness and the discomfort and stress of being tossed about on rough seas, trampled by their shipmates, or suffocated in their own faeces’.
However, PETA noted, while it is ‘relieved’ that there is an end date in sight, it feels the government has ‘no excuse for allowing them to suffer in these horrific conditions for another four years’.
Ending the live export of sheep
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt announced that the trade will be phased out in a statement released on May 11.
Mr Watt said: “The live sheep export industry has shown time and again that they are unable to meet the community’s expectations.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Animals endure horrific conditions in the live export industry. Photo © gidon via Adobe Stock
An executive summary produced by a panel noted: “There have been ongoing community concerns about the treatment and conditions sheep experience once they leave Australia.
“Repeated animal welfare incidents have led to reviews, regulatory changes and eventually the government’s election commitment to phase out live sheep exports by sea.
“This commitment has polarised opinion, with the range of views evident in the Panel’s consultations. Producers, animal welfare organisations, supply chain businesses, community and industry representatives, trading partners, processors and government officials were just some of those who contributed to the Panel’s process.
“The government’s policy was rejected by many in the WA sheep supply chain, while others in the community and animal welfare advocates supported it.”
‘We welcome the news’
Commenting on the news, animal welfare organisation Compassion in World Farming said it was pleased to hear that a date had been set.
It added: “We welcome the news that the Australian government has finally announced an end date for the export of live sheep by sea.
“The current government pledged to end the trade when it came to power in 2022. Since then, we – along with many local and global animal welfare groups – have been waiting for a date for the practice to be outlawed.
“The federal government has stated it will introduce legislation into parliament this week to ensure the ban is in place by 1 May 2028.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The date is set, but cruel sheep exports will continue for four more years before the ban is in place. Photo © yoshi via Adobe Stock
UK live export ban
Australia’s announcement was followed by the UK’s Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill passing its final stage in Parliament, meaning it will soon be enshrined into UK law.
Celebrating the news, Compassion in World Farming’s patron and long-term supporter, Dame Joanna Lumley said: “Finally, finally, finally, we can celebrate the news that live farm animals will never again be exported on long, horrendous journeys from our shores”.
Philip Lymbery, Compassion’s Global CEO, said he was ‘phenomenally proud of our supporters whose dedication and persistence have helped secure this hard-fought victory’.
Britain is joining other countries in banning live animal exports, including Germany and Australia, which have pledged to ban or phase out the trade.
Some live exports will still be allowed under the law – notably the movement of racehorses, which can be exported for breeding and races.
Live exports for other purposes, such as for breeding, will still be allowed provided animals are transported in line with legal requirements aimed at protecting their welfare.
PETA is now calling on its supporters to contact the Australian high commissioner to end live export – not only for sheep but for all animals – immediately, which you can do here.
Creating positive change for animals doesn’t always involve decades of effort. Make a difference with these simple ways to help animals
Featured photo © David Pimborough via Adobe Stock
