Minister flies out to shore up new live export rules

As reported in today's article from Sydney Morning Herald, Minister for Agriculture, Joe Ludwig, is traveling this week to the Middle East to discuss animal welfare standards with regards to live exports.

The trip comes following the Minister’s imposed deadline of 1 March to enact new animal welfare guidelines and “supply chain assurances.”

Live export companies have been crying out against these new guidelines, predicting that the new framework will result in decreased shipments for 2012. A recent article in Meat Trade News daily even wondered if this could be signaling a dismal future for the industry, asking “Are live exports coming to an end?”



The fact is, demand for live exports is rapidly decreasing, and Australians have come to realise the impact that this inhumane practice has on animals. While WSPA salutes Minister Ludwig’s efforts towards animal welfare, we question the time and effort being spent on so-called improvements that the industry is not getting behind.

The Minister could instead focus on supporting our processing sector in Australia, which supports manufacturing jobs in rural and regional areas. The economic advantages are irrefutable - a sheep processed in Australia is worth 20% more than one processed overseas.

Thousands of sheep die each year on board live export vessels from starvation and disease. We are killing animals and leaking money. The Minister needs to re-focus on the chilled meat trade, which is better for Australia and better for the sheep and cattle.

Work to help animals as a WSPA intern!

This weekend, some of our Sydney-based volunteer Captains got together in the WSPA office to lend their time to helping wrap up our Move Forward initiative by assisting with the glamourous task of data entry.

It was a huge help to the office, and we'd like to extend a big THANK YOU to Nami, Matthew, Rosalba, Sy, Alen, Michelle, Stefan, and Jim!


We'll have lots of opportunities in the coming year for supporters to get involved, making a difference. Currently we're recruiting for a volunteer internship position. Here's more information:


Position Description:

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is recruiting at part-time intern to work in our Sydney office. We’re looking for someone who can work at least 20 hours/week but are flexible with timing.

Intern will assist with our Humane Chain campaign and the implementation of an exciting new supporter-driven project focusing on raising public awareness. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent grad, someone looking to move into the nonprofit sector or a more seasoned pro, simply wanting to work on a meaningful cause.

Specific duties to include:
• Volunteer management including maintaining a schedule of volunteer activities
• Seeking out opportunities to raise public awareness such as events and festivals, as well as social media
• Assist with the creation of promotional materials
• Assisting with mailings, data entry and other administrative tasks as necessary
Skills required:
• Excellent people skills – experience managing people or working with volunteers is very helpful
• Highly organised, able to manage time efficiently and work well, both independently and as part of a team.
• A passion for animal welfare
• An interest and experience in social media is helpful
• Also helpful but not necessary is experience in Photoshop/graphic design

Although this is an unpaid internship there are lots of opportunities to learn more about campaigning, political lobbying, and animal welfare generally, depending on your areas of interest.

To Apply:
Please send a CV and cover letter to sharonbaldwin@wspa.org.au by 30 January. This is an unpaid position to commence ASAP and run through May.

The Inherent Cruelty of Live Exports

News reported in The Australian last week again throws up questions regarding the ability of live exporters to influence slaughter practices in importing countries.

The paper says: “The first independent audits of Indonesian abattoirs wanting to import and process Australian cattle have found local workers initially failed to meet animal welfare standards, killing cows incorrectly and using blades that were not sharp enough”.

Whilst the report states that corrective action was taken, I have to wonder how many more animals must suffer. Even if the knife does remain sharp, the fact that some animals are being slaughtered whilst fully conscious is simply unacceptable.

As WSPA has said time and time again to decision-makers and to the panel at both live export inquiries last year, the live trade is inherently cruel. It is fraught with animal welfare issues, from loading, to the long distance transportation and of course the slaughter issues in importing countries.

For example, it is very difficult to mitigate some of the animal welfare issues on board a three week boat journey to the Middle East.

We know that sheep transported to the Middle East experience immense suffering, including cramped conditions which results in injury and diseases such as salmonellosis and pink eye.


At an RSPCA Live Export forum last year, I learned of additional factors that cause suffering including the effects of high levels of humidity, problems associated with animals having to lie down in their own urine and faeces, how ship motion and noise and vibration cause stress, and how changes in lighting can be an issue. There is also a higher mortality rate among rams because of head-butting, aggression and mounting.

There is no such thing as humane live export, but there is a solution to the problem that will benefit Australian animals and the Australian economy. We can spend millions, trying to solve the unsolvable, or we can transition to an expanded chilled meat trade that supports jobs in regional and rural areas. WSPA will continue to work with the Government in 2012 to show them again that there is an alternative.

If you haven’t done so already, why not join 110,000 other like minded individuals and head to our website at www.humanechain.org and sign a letter to your MP. Every action shows that we will not accept the cruelty of live exports and helps educate others about the alternative.

WSPA Campaign Manager, Jodie Jankevics

Year-End Live Animal Export Wrap-Up: Part 2

In Part One of our Year End Wrap-Up we looked at some of the live export milestones in the first half of 2011. The year’s turning point was easily defined by the atrocities uncovered by Animals Australia and televisions program Four Corners in Indonesia, which made live export an issue no one could ignore.

WSPA supporters sent thousands of letters to their MPs and to Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig in the days following the Four Corners report, and then followed the events closely in the ensuing weeks as Ludwig first suspended the live trade to Indonesia, and then re-instated it in July.

Later that month, WSPA staff traveled to Indonesia to participate in a workshop with the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association and meet with Government officials, as a step forward in terms of improving animal welfare practices within Indonesia.

Also in July, we launched a campaign to reach out to our supporters all over the world, who were shocked to find out about the cruel live animal export trade. In Phase 1 of the campaign, tens of thousands of WSPA supporters wrote letters to the Australian Government, imploring them to phase out this trade.

In Phase 2, we asked our supporters to upload their photo onto the Global Humane Chain website and we presented this visual representation of animal-lovers right around the globe to two Federal MPs at a Parliament House Press Conference in August.

Supporters all over the world took part in WSPA's Global Humane Chain

Also in August, WSPA presented at the Senate Inquiry into live exports making the case that not only is the live export trade inherently cruel, but that investing in local processing and jobs would provide a more stable base for farmers and our economy.

Building on the strong public momentum, in October we launched our ambitious “Move Forward” initiative, with the aim of mobilising volunteer “Captains” from electorates all over Australia to lobby the Labor Party to adopt a policy against live exports at its Federal Conference.

Over 100 supporters around Australia signed up to participate and we were blown away by their efforts: over 113 pieces of vital media coverage, 26 meetings with Labor representatives, and 33 events held around the country, all contributed to a great public and government awareness of the issue. This showed our decision makers that animal welfare is an important issue to everyday Australians!

A few highlights from the amazing work WSPA Captains did on the Move Forward campaign

MP Melissa Parke put forward the amendment at the Labor Conference, and the vote was so close it had to be put to a count. Although it did not pass, by a mere 22 votes, WSPA was encouraged by Minister Ludwig’s move to create infrastructure that would support alternatives to the live export trade in the North which will ultimately see a reduction in the number of animals sent live.

We end the year with 112,554 people having joined the WSPA Humane Chain and 100 dedicated Captains who have pledged to never give up until the last live export boat leaves our shores. With more support now onside than ever, we’re busy planning for what’s already looking to be a busy and exciting year in 2012. We thank everyone who has given their support along the way and look forward to the new year!

Indonesia to slash Aussie beef imports

The following news article was originally published on ABC News, written by George Roberts.

The Indonesian government says it is planning to ban all live cattle imports from Australia within a few years.

But officials say the plan is not related to the Federal Government's temporary ban on exporting live cattle to Indonesia earlier this year.

The Indonesian agriculture minister has confirmed reports the country's government will begin drastically cutting the amount of beef it imports from Australia next year.

Minister Suswono has told the ABC that Indonesia is moving towards having a completely self-sufficient beef industry, meaning that Australian exports to Indonesia will be phased out over the next three or four years.

He has confirmed that next year Indonesia will only allow about 280,000 Australian cows to be brought into the country, down from 520,000 permits this year.

But he says the Australian Government's decision to temporarily ban live cattle exports to Indonesia earlier this year is not related.

The live cattle trade was suspended by the Australian Government for a month this year after the ABC's Four Corners program sparked animal welfare concerns. The trade was later reinstated with stricter regulations.

A spokesman for Indonesia's minister also says in the future Australian farmers will only be involved with the Indonesian beef market if they breed their cows in Indonesia.

The Cattle Council of Australia is not blaming the change on the recent export ban.

"I'm sure the Indonesia ministry of trade has just made this decision which is in line with their targets for self sufficiency," the council's spokesman Andrew Ogilvie said.

But Mr Ogilvie says the move will have an impact on local producers.

A spokesperson for Australia's Agriculture Department says in recent years there has been considerable variation in the number of permits issued.

The Department says import quotas are a matter for Indonesia, and the Australian Government remains committed to the live export trade.

Earlier this month the Labor Party's national conference rejected a push to phase out live cattle exports altogether.

Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig moved a motion that Labor recognise the importance of the industry to jobs in Northern Australia, which delegates supported.

Year-End Live Animal Export Wrap-Up: Part 1

As 2011 is drawing to an end, at WSPA we’re taking a moment to reflect back on what was quite a momentous year for animal welfare – particularly on the issue of live animal export.

This is part one of some of the highlights, achievements, and milestones from our campaign over the past year.


Building on our campaigning work in 2010 and early 2011, WSPA worked with Federal Labor MP Janelle Saffin to introduce a Private Members Motion to end live exports into Federal Parliament on March 21, 2011. Supported by 5 other MPs, this marked the first time that the issue of live animal export has ever been debated in Parliament. Ms Saffin and MP’s Dick Adams and Melissa Parke, highlighted the inherent risks, particularly for farmers, of a trade that is vulnerable to the demands of the importing countries.

A few months later, in May 2011 we launched our new Humane Chain website with a built-in tool, making it easy for supporters to write customised letters to Members of Parliament, voicing concern about live exports. So far over 28,000 of you have taken this action demonstrating clear opposition to the trade!

May also saw the launch of our Humane Campus Challenge in which students from 8 universities across Australia competed to see who could generate the most meaningful action on their campus, raising awareness of the cruelty of the live export trade. In the end, these passionate students generated over 1,500 letters from fellow students and community members – nearly half of which came from Southern Cross University the competition winner, followed by University of Sydney.

Students participating in WSPA’s Humane Campus Challenge

On May 31, 2011 live animal export became headline news, following the shocking Four Corners report which revealed Animals Australia’s investigation into the shocking treatment of Australian cattle in Indonesian abattoirs.

The cruelty that was uncovered outraged the Australian public and none of us will forget what we saw.

In Part 2 of our Year-End Wrap-Up we’ll look at the actions WSPA supporters and staff took both locally and globally in the second half of 2011.

Labor Party pledge moves live export debate forward

Labor has rejected a move to phase out live exports at this weekend’s National Party Conference, but WSPA is encouraged by moves to support alternatives to the cruel trade.

WSPA Captains demonstrating at the Labor Party conference

At yesterday’s National Labor Party Conference in Sydney, MP Melissa Parke put forward an amendment asking delegates to support a four-year transition away from live export to a strengthened Australian chilled meat export trade – a move that would both protect Australian animals and promote Australian jobs.

The vote was so close that it was put to an official count, however sadly, support for the amendment fell just short with 173 votes for and 216 against.

WSPA Campaign Manager Jodie Jankevics said, “Whilst we’re disappointed Ms Parke's amendment didn't get through, we’re also very encouraged by Minister Ludwig’s move to create infrastructure that would support alternatives to the live export trade in the North.”

“Coupled with a stronger Labor focus on the elimination of chilled meat trade barriers such as tariffs, we believe practical steps are slowly being put into place to allow the supply chain to reduce its reliance on live export and move to a more humane and sustainable alternative.”

WSPA supporters’ efforts across the country through our "Move Forward" campaign have played a key role in raising awareness of the benefits of transitioning away from the live export trade with both the general public and importantly many key decision makers.

Since October, with the support of more than 100 volunteer Captains and their teams, we have generated over 80 pieces of media coverage nationally, had face-to-face meetings with almost 40 Labor representatives and union officials and collected over 11,000 new petition signatures.

Just one of many examples of a Captain who got published in her local paper.

It was all of this tremendous activity that helped make yesterday’s historic vote possible. Together we really have moved the debate around live exports forward and are now one step closer to ending this cruel and unnecessary trade.

On another positive note, Ms Parke also put forward an amendment this weekend calling for an Independent Commission of Animal Welfare, which was passed. WSPA would like to thank Ms Parke for all of her efforts to help improve animal welfare.

WSPA will continue to work with industry and Government to transition away from the live export trade to an alternative that protects animals from cruelty. With the start of a New Year just around the corner, we now have some new opportunities for change for animals that we can pursue - keep a look out for some exciting new initiatives in 2012!

Live Export Policy Debate is an opportunity for Labor to protect animal welfare and create jobs

The future direction of the Australian meat processing and live export industries will be debated at the Labor Party conference this weekend, with delegates considering a policy amendment to support a transition from the live export trade into an expanded chilled, frozen and processed meat trade.

The amendment will ask delegates to support a four-year transition from live export to chilled meat exports, while supporting the infrastructure requirements necessary for a strengthened Australian meat processing industry and promotion of Australian chilled meat products to overseas markets.

The amendment will be proposed by Melissa Parke Federal MP for Fremantle, WA, who said "Independent economic reports have established that a transition would support 5,000 new jobs, and protect many more*.”



“A sheep processed domestically is worth around 20% more to the Australian economy than one exported live and if we’re serious about our responsibilities to protect and create Australian jobs, the chilled meat export industry is the only logical long-term sustainable path,” she concluded.

Federal MP Melissa Parke

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has recently stated in an executive resolution “Executive notes the extent of the outcry emanating from cattle producers following the temporary ban on the live export trade to Indonesia. It is our understanding that Indonesia has indicated it wants to be self sufficient in live cattle by 2014. If so, cattle producers will find themselves in an even worse predicament, unless Australia retains a strong meat-processing sector. The ongoing decline of the Australia meat processing sector is not in the long term interests of either the workers in the sector or the cattle producers”.

Jodie Jankevics, campaigns manager for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) said, “A well managed transition will save and create Australian jobs, bring more money into our economy and reduce the transportation and slaughter welfare issues that are the inescapable reality of live export.”

“Up to this point live export has been shielded by official party policy support, but this weekend Labor Party delegates have the opportunity to make a change, and represent the views of the overwhelming public majority. We hope to see delegates choose jobs, economic growth and compassion by ending this inherently risky trade.”

“Over 110,000 Australians have taken action via WSPA’s live export campaign calling for an end to the trade, and we know many Labor politicians feel that protecting Australian jobs and animals by supporting a transition to chilled meat export makes sense,” she concluded.

A recent Lonergan Research national survey commissioned by WSPA reveals that over 77% of the Australian public believe live export is cruel, and 80% of the population believe the Labor Party should reconsider its support of live export and embrace a transition to locally processed chilled meat export.

Help end Labor’s support of live export at this weekend’s National Conference

Since our Move Forward initiative began in October, supporters from all over the country have helped make significant progress towards our aim of changing Labor’s policy on live exports. With volunteer Captains in over 100 electorates, together we’ve been able to achieve:

• Media coverage across the country where volunteer captains have worked with their local communities to demonstrate their opposition to live animal export

• An increase in awareness amongst Labor representatives of the benefits of transitioning away from live exports

• Over 11,000 new WSPA live export petition signatures, showing that the Australian public still wants to see live exports phased out

Watch the short video above to see Australians in action right across the nation.


Following all this activity, just last week MP Melissa Parke confirmed that an amendment to the Labor Policy Platform will be debated this weekend at Labor’s National Conference. The amendment will call for a four-year transition from live export to chilled meat exports, while supporting industry investment in the infrastructure necessary for a strengthened Australian meat processing industry.

You can help get this amendment passed and help end Labor’s support for the cruel trade

It’s just four days until the Labor Conference, but it’s not too late for you to take action to help end the cruelty of live exports:

1. Meet, write to, or call your State or Federal Labor MP, or Senator, asking them to support the live export amendment at the National Labor Conference. You can find your Federal MP contact details at www.humanechain.org/take-action

2. Call your local talkback radio station and voice your opposition to the live export trade

3. Ask your friends to take action, by sharing a link to: www.humanechain.org/take-action

This vital shift in Labor policy would allow Labor MPs to act, and work to diversify agricultural opportunities beyond this inherently cruel trade. Wouldn’t this be a great start to the New Year?

Senate Live Export Report Prolongs Misery and Stifles Opportunity For Genuine Reform

A new Senate inquiry released last night into the live export industry has failed to address the serious welfare and employment concerns of the Australian public.

WSPA is disappointed that submissions of support for a phase out of live export, due to the inherent welfare risks involved in the trade, noted by a number of key animal protection organisations, were not adequately reflected within the recommendations.

Campaign Manager Jodie Jankevics said, “Today, live export is still an industry where sheep and cattle can be slaughtered inhumanely, while fully conscious, and tens of thousands of animals will still die horrific deaths from stress, starvation and disease on lengthy and overcrowded sea voyages. This is something the Australian public will never accept.”


“It makes no sense that these recommendations continue to protect an industry in the North that is struggling to make significant profits and beholden to importing country demands, for example the weight restrictions placed by Indonesia, when there is a golden opportunity to create security, jobs and welfare guarantees by backing the chilled meat export alternative.

It is however pleasing to see that Senators realise the North is currently too heavily reliant on the inherently risky live trade, and that processing infrastructure needs to be considered.

WSPA is not calling for an overnight ban, but a properly managed transition to a local chilled meat export industry that can protect and create more Australian rural jobs, result in higher profitability through value add opportunities, continue to provide farmers with a market for their animals that isn’t beholden to foreign government policy, and address the public’s welfare concerns.

RAIN HAIL OR SHINE SYDNEY RESIDENTS ARE COMITTED TO ENDING LIVE EXPORT

Over 700 Australians from Labor MP Tanya Plibersek’s electorate of Sydney have joined www.humanechain.org united against the cruel and economically backward live animal export trade.

Despite wet conditions a group of volunteers led by vet student and President of the University of Sydney Animal Welfare Society Sy Woon, wearing animal shaped billboards, delivered end live export petition figures to Ms Plibersek’s office this morning.

In a press release today Sy said, “We're here to tell people that live export hasn’t gone away, and the issues haven’t been solved. Australian sheep and cattle still endure overcrowded and deadly transportation to distant countries, where they are subjected to brutal treatment and inhumane slaughter - often whilst fully conscious. It’s essential that local politicians understand the public outrage.”

Today’s protest, a replica of that held in Melbourne just last week, is part of a nationwide program of local events co-ordinated by WSPA, which is calling on Labor MP’s to shift support away from live export, and transition to a chilled meat export trade when they meet for the national Labor Party Conference in December. At this stage an amendment will be debated and is currently backed by a number of unions and Members of Parliament.

Alongside the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU), WSPA recently joined forces on a video ‘Live Exports, Jobs and The Economy: a solution to the live animal export trade’, answering crucial questions on the economic and job losses caused by the live trade. Any help to circulate this video is greatly appreciated.

It’s time for Labor to really Move Forward.

Herd of local people hits Melbourne’s streets to demand action from Labor on live exports

A herd of animal activists wearing sheep and cow shaped billboards delivered end live export petitions and the findings of a new live export public opinion poll to the offices of Martin Ferguson, MP for Batman and Michael Danby, MP for Melbourne Ports today.

The national Lonergan Research survey, was commissioned by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and reveals that over 77% of the Australian public believe live export is cruel, and 80% of the population believe the Labor Party should reconsider its support of the disgraced live export industry and embrace a transition to locally processed chilled meat export.

The protest is part of a nationwide program of local events co-ordinated by WSPA, which is calling on Labor MP’s to shift support away from live export, and transition to a chilled meat export trade when they meet for the national Labor Party Conference in December.

Adam Valvasori, spokesperson for the group said, “We’re here to let people know that live export is still happening. Australian cows and sheep are still being subjected to long, overcrowded and deadly transportation overseas; with the prospect of inhumane slaughter while fully conscious when they reach foreign abattoirs.

“Our local politicians need to know that the public still care about this national shame, so we’re presenting them with a humanechain.org.au petition, signed by over 800 people in Batman and 700 people in Melbourne Ports calling for an end to live export,” he concluded.

Jodie Jankevics, campaign manager at WSPA said, “Over 100,000 Australians have signed the humanechain.org.au petition calling for an end to live export, and we know many Labor politicians feel that protecting Australian jobs and animals by supporting a transition to chilled meat export makes sense.

“Labor currently supports live export, but the December Labor Party conference gives MP’s the opportunity to vote for a planned transition away from live export, to the more humane and economically viable chilled meat trade.

“We are calling on Martin Ferguson, Michael Danby and the rest of the Labor Party to take a stand for common sense and compassion by supporting a change in party policy that will end this unethical and outdated trade,” she concluded.