A new WSPA investigation has revealed damning evidence of continued welfare abuse of Australian sheep in the live export trade to the Middle East, despite Government and Meat and Livestock Australia claims of improving standards.
(Photo from left to right: WSPA Campaigns Manager Emily Reeves, AMIEU President Grant Courtney, Sydney Mayor Ms Clover Moore, cruelty investigator Reuben Brand)At an event hosted by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP, WSPA presented harrowing new footage, proving the mistreatment of animals throughout the Australian live export supply chain, from dead sheep on transportation ships, through to heat stressed animals and overcrowded sales yards and inhumane handling and slaughter in abattoirs in the Middle East – available for viewing at www.youtube.com/watch?v=he6Fy9foKWM
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said “The latest WSPA investigation demonstrates a clear need for government and industry to invest in humane alternatives to live export, such as locally processed chilled meat, so we can end this trade in misery.”
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said “The latest WSPA investigation demonstrates a clear need for government and industry to invest in humane alternatives to live export, such as locally processed chilled meat, so we can end this trade in misery.”
Also presenting at the event, Grant Courtney, President of the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU) said “in addition to ethical considerations the Government backed live export trade is crippling the Australian meat processing industry, due to intense competition for livestock.”
“I can’t understand why the Government is sticking its head in the sand when thousands of Australian jobs are being lost due to this trade. Independent research has revealed replacing live export with local processing for export could mean an additional 20% in revenue, safeguarding jobs in our vulnerable rural communities” he continued.
WSPA Programs Manager, Emily Reeves, said “We’ve got the economic data to show live export is bad business, we’ve got a rural industry crippled through poorly thought out Government policy, and we’ve got yet more proof that Australian animals are being handled and slaughtered in a way that would horrify Australians. For all these reasons, the Rudd Government should be deeply ashamed of its unwavering support for the cruel live export trade.”
“I can’t understand why the Government is sticking its head in the sand when thousands of Australian jobs are being lost due to this trade. Independent research has revealed replacing live export with local processing for export could mean an additional 20% in revenue, safeguarding jobs in our vulnerable rural communities” he continued.
WSPA Programs Manager, Emily Reeves, said “We’ve got the economic data to show live export is bad business, we’ve got a rural industry crippled through poorly thought out Government policy, and we’ve got yet more proof that Australian animals are being handled and slaughtered in a way that would horrify Australians. For all these reasons, the Rudd Government should be deeply ashamed of its unwavering support for the cruel live export trade.”
Thanks to all the general public attendees, animal welfare representatives and journalists that came along today. Together we will bring an end to this trade!
Posts
4 :
Hey Guys,
Thanks for organising today! Great turn out, fantastic speakers, powerful footage, job well done!!
I'm going to organise to meet with my MP tomorrow!!
:)
Stopping the Live Export Trade from Australia will not improve animal welfare standards in the middle east. They will simply buy animals from some other country that has no consience when it comes to this issue. Is that a good outcome? Surely we are better of trying to improve the conditions for the animals by being involved. If Australia does not participate in the live trade we have no opportunity to help through our government and industry groups like Meat and Livestock Australia.
Hi Anonymous,
Phasing out the live export trade and implementing a chilled meat trade is not only a more humane approach, but it is a highly lucrative and sustainable alternative.
The less animals being exported live, means less animal welfare issues.
We will still be supplying the Middle East with exactly the same amount of produce - the only difference is that the animals will not be suffering on board export vessels for 3-4 weeks where approximately 40,000 die en route each year. Neither will they be handled and slaughtered in appalling conditions - I should know, as I have been there and documented more than enough evidence that support these claims.
A sheep processed here in Australia is worth 20 per cent more to the Australian economy than one exported live - So why not support our industry?
A chilled meat trade will stimulate our rural economies and create much needed jobs - I don't know if you were at the forum yesterday of not, but even Andrew Martel, a sheep farmer from central western NSW, said that he receives the same amount of money for his sheep whether he sells them to exporters or local processors.
So why on Earth would you want to send sheep offshore to be slaughtered and transported inhumanely when you could have it all done here and create much needed jobs in the process?
Even MLA agree that there is a demand for chilled meat, and recognise the fact that our Halal accredited abattoirs are "highly regarded" in the region.
"Australia’s food safety and Halal certification programs are highly regarded in the region, with an enormous amount of trust being placed in these systems by local governments and importers."
This is from MLA's latest press release regarding the need for more 'cuts based' chilled meat at a food trade show in the Middle East.
"At Gulfood there was a notable shift in focus, with some exporters working with customers to develop cuts-based supply program."
700 people have lost their jobs in the past six months alone - I recently visited Townsville where I interviewed numerous people who now have nothing and are unemployed due to the live export trade. I saw truck after truck drive straight past the local abattoir and unload over one months worth of work that these people could be doing onto an export vessel.
Tell me that's not a kick in the teeth to Australian industry.
Ending live export does not mean another country will step in and fill the demand - we will still be supplying the Middle East with a chilled meat trade.
Please feel free to contact me directly for more information regarding this issue.
www.reubenbrand.com
Reuben, Phasing out live exports through the development of a chilled meat market in the middle east is a long term project. It could take years as there is a lot of cultural and religious beliefs that play a part in why they like to slaughter the animals themselves. They will not switch to a chilled product overnight. This meat market could be further developed and maybe more beneficial to the Austrlaian economy and the welfare of the animals but it will take time. I've got no problem with that except your slogan is to "stop live exports", not phase them out. What will happen in between when we stop sending them live sheep and the market matures the stage where they are taking an equivalent amount of chilled product? Someone else will sell them sheep, we will lose any influence we have in the market in terms of 1. Educating them and enhancing animal welfare practices and 2. having the presence in the market place to be able to develop markets for sheep meat as an alternative to live exports. Are sheep from a country like china any less important then sheep from Australia? wouldn't you agree that we are better off participating in the market for the long term improvement in animal welfare - regardless of where the sheep originate?
Post a Comment