Melissa Parke, Member for Fremantle, presented the Handle With Care petition to the House of Representatives in Canberra last night. The petition was undersigned by 12,476 Australian citizens calling on the Australian Government to end the export of live animals for slaughter. This petition adds to the calls of the hundreds of thousands of signatories already handed to the government by Animals Australia and Stop Live exports, over the past ten years.
In Parke’s speech to parliament she said “Around 80 per cent of Australia’s live sheep exports—approximately four million sheep—are shipped out of the port of Fremantle in my electorate each year. I receive up to 20 emails, letters and phone calls a week from constituents who are concerned about the trade on animal welfare grounds and because of the lost economic opportunities to create local jobs and increased income from processing the animals in WA and exporting the meat to the ever-expanding overseas sheep meat market.”
“The public demand for phasing out the live export trade in Fremantle has been such that last week on 26 May the City of Fremantle Council passed a resolution calling on the state and federal governments to bring stakeholders together to work towards a plan for the medium-term transition from live export to onshore processing.”
Parkes continued, saying “In the meantime, I think everyone would agree that, while the live animal export trade exists, it is essential that we have enforced minimum animal welfare standards. Unfortunately the Western Australian Barnett government has failed dismally in this regard. A six-person animal welfare unit established by the previous state Labor government three years ago has been slashed to just one officer, expected to monitor all livestock matters in a state of 2.5 million square kilometres. If we as a community cannot have confidence that minimum animal welfare standards are being adhered to, it makes the case for transition to the meat export trade even stronger and more urgent.”
This petition (above) is now being submitted to the petition committee and we will await a response from the Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke. Stay tuned!
Jessica Borg, Campaign Coordinator WSPA Australia
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Meat and Livestock Australia, paid for a group of importers from the Middle East to come to Australia this week, to see how sheep are handled and produced here. "This Middle East trade delegation program goes a long way to achieving animal welfare improvements. But it's just a part of our overall program." Mr Dundon says shutting down the trade would be disastrous for Australia and the Middle East. "There are a lot of countries over there that rely on our livestock for their food security. If the trade was to stop, there would be huge issues."
Ahmed Hameed is head of the abattoir at the Bahrain Livestock Company, which processes 800,000 sheep a year. He says live sheep are very important for the Middle East and the market has an insatiable appetite for Australian sheep.
Sounds impressive. Anonymous, could you please share with us the details of this overall program that Peter Dundon speaks of. This 'program' has been running for years, yet nothing seems to have changed at all. You may not have seen the investigation launched in March this year that showed horrendous cruelty to our animals.. Check it out @ http://www.youtube.com/user/WSPAnimals#p/u/2/he6Fy9foKWM
If the market has an insatiable appetite for Australian sheep meat as Ahmed Hameed says, lets give it to them and lets make some money at the same time! But lets give it to them chilled, properly halal certified and humanely slaughtered here. Lets save jobs in Australia and look after our own people too. Lets be true leaders in animal welfare. Let's stop exporting raw commodities and use our brains a little. Come on Australia!
Reply to Andrea,
I feel the video you directed me to is misleading for the following reasons.
1 These video images are old and can be found on other videos made some years ago.
2 The two vets making comment are NOT creditable and obviously have NO experience with sheep or live export.
3 The Freelance Journalist could be in a back yard in Australia for all we know. Why doesn’t he have some video of the sheep to prove what he is saying?
As I pointed out before there is a gradual change to more export of chilled or frozen meat. The numbers sheep exported have dropped over recent years.
Please check out this video,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9oV5Ns9Z0Y&feature=related
Why would anyone bother to put together a fake video about sheep mistreatment in Middle East? There are no friends and no money to be made by doing such a thing. I think you just don't want to face up to the facts that what you are obviously partaking in and promoting is cruel.
Hi anonymous,
As the freelance journalist who shot most of the footage in the video in question, I would like you to find me these other old videos who, according to you, are using my footage – all shot in late 2009.
This piece-to-camera was shot out the back of the livestock market in Dubai, numerous photos and hours of footage will tell you that. I don’t need to fabricate my video evidence, because I have nothing to hide – I have lived and worked in the Middle East for long enough know what is going on.
Thanks,
Reuben Brand.
Very well Reuben as it is your word against mine. But as you are making the claims, you need to do a better job to prove your claims.
Tell me about the two vets you had making comments; it is obvious to me they have NO experience with sheep or live export. Their statements about sheep sleeping on mesh floors are blatant lies.
Your claim about numbers of sheep per square meter “I quote you “3 sheep per square meter” is another blatant LIE. Australian Government law states Sheep density is be 0.429 sheep (70Kg live Wt) / per square meter. That is 1 sheep for every 2 square meters.
I STAND by my claim that your video is misleading garbage and you are LIRE
The basis of these video is en site anger and gain support for your cause to End live export.
I wonder how hard it would be to have a video made showing healthy sheep with plenty of shade food and water. But then again you people are not interested in the truth are you!
A little more for you Mr Reuben Brand.
I will quote your own words:
Quote "It is 40 degrees, I am dyeing out here it, is extremely hot.
Now according to your reply to me, your video was all shot in late 2009.
The average Maximum temp for Dubai in Nov 2009 is 30 ͦC degrees and 26 ͦ C in December. Winter time in Dubai
Hard to believe the your report I will Quote you again “It is 40 degrees, I am dyeing out here it, is extremely hot”
I will also point out that I do not support the mistreatment of animals in any way.
I will also point out again that Australia is the only country working to improve animal welfare in the Middle East
Please no one respond to this fool.
Sorry Andrea, I feel that I need to respond... It can be seen from the above comments that the live export issue can draw some strong emotions and reactions from people. Groups working towards a phase out of live exports understand the regulations and the law. Most groups are also moderate in their view, and this is evidenced by seeking a phase out, not an immediate end to live exports, by working with the Meat Workers Union for a win-win outcomes and by realising that work will need to be done during the phase out period to ensure Australian chilled product is promoted appropriately. Discrediting groups and experienced journalists and veterinarians doesn't get us very far. What we need is good quality, intelligent and informed debate to move this forward to ensure better outcomes for Australian animals and workers.
Three cheers for Dean! a sensible and appropriate reply.
I have stated before. The numbers of live sheep being exported are DECLINING, (almost halved since 2001)
The amounts of chilled and frozen meat going to the Middle East are INCREASING.
It is a pity all these people don’t put their time and effort into improving animal welfare in the Middle East, instead of trying to deny them a reliable and clean supply of meat.
Anonymous you clearly have very poor comprehension skills. Let me brake it down for you..
Animal welfare groups and Australian meat workers are calling for a COMPLETE phase out of live sheep exports.
Why? Because niether the animal welfare groups, nor the Australian government have the capacity to change the animal welfare practices of millions of people across the 11 countries we export to in the Middle East. Nor is it possible to change the intrinsically dangerous conditions at sea. Plus its costing Australia money and jobs.
So.. Groups and industry are pushing for more support of the chilled meat trade over the live trade because as Dean said it will protect Australian jobs, plus its worth 20% more to the Australian economy and its a more animal welfare friendly source of meat.
Reply to Anonymous:
I know what ARA’s and meat workers are calling for.
Local meat processors only have to enter the market and pay up if they want more sheep. They are doing this as they find new markets to supply.
As for changing animal welfare the.
RE ABC Rural News: Meat and Livestock Australia, paid for a group of importers from the Middle East to come to Australia this week, to see how sheep are handled and produced here.
This Middle East trade delegation program goes a long way to achieving animal welfare improvements. But it's just a part of our overall program."
It's the overseas part of the live export industry which attracts the most anger from animal welfare organisations.
Ahmed Hameed is head of the abattoir at the Bahrain Livestock Company. He says live sheep are very important for the Middle East. "Live sheep is the culture of the people. Ahmed Hameed says welfare in the Middle East is improving.
# Fact the industry is moving towards more chilled or frozen meat.
But this will NOT happen instantly, it will take time, So be patient.
How can we be patient when this is happening? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he6Fy9foKWM
Have you no compassion at all?
Reply to Anonymous:
Please DO NOT be conned by this misleading video it has been specially made and edited with the mournful music just to suck you in.
The vets are not creditable with any of their statements. Comment like sheep being kept on mesh floors is a blatant lie.
The maker of this video claims Quote: "It is 40 degrees, I am dyeing out here it, is extremely hot". And yet it was made in December the middle of winter in the Middle East. When maximum temps are about 25 degrees NOT above 40 like he claims.
He also claims the sheep are kicked and pulled and thrown about, BUT he no video to back up his claims.
The purpose of these videos is to get gullible people to DONATE money.
DONT BE FOOLED!!
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