Live sheep exports are back at the forefront as we approach the upcoming federal election; that’s not surprising due to the turbulent and calamity-ridden past of this controversial industry.

What’s also being discussed is the overwhelming support from the community for a gradual elimination of this gruesome trade.

Live export is not only unacceptable from a standpoint; however, an entire Australian society has repeatedly been against the trade.

The most recent survey that was conducted in January of this year has confirmed that an overwhelming majority of Australians, approximately 2 out of 3regardless of the location they reside in, desire to see this practice stop.

The survey also revealed that more than 8 percent of Australians were against the recent cut by the Federal Government in the prohibition of northern summer. The ban was put in place in order to prevent Australian livestock from being sent to Middle East countries. Middle East during the hottest period of the year, but the ban was subsequently reduced by two weeks to allow exporters to transport animals into Red Sea destinations commencing this month.

This plan will see the export of tens of thousands of sheep annually exported to extreme temperatures and in extreme danger. This is why the community does not agree with it.

We’re also surprised by statements from the industry claiming that only a small portion of Australians are opposed to live exports because, no matter the way you view it, it’s simply not the case.

Facts about Live Export

Live sheep shipped out of Australia suffer. Being exposed to temperatures that are above their tolerance, a lot of livestock suffer from stress. Sheep are subjected to harsh handling conditions and stocking density levels that prevent them from lying down comfortably to relax at the same time and easily accessing food or water. In pens, they sleep, eat, and urinate. Live exported sheep are also subject to the risk of catching diseases and infections due to the excessive amount of stock and the high ammonia levels from feces and urine.

The sheep are not the only ones to suffer during live export journeys. However, their health is frequently harmed when they arrive at their destination. Sheep can be exposed to scorching temperatures for weeks without shade and are deprived of water and food in the feedlots and ports of entry. They are also subject to slaughter methods that are not in line with Australian standards since Australian standards are not enforced in other countries, and pre-slaughter shocking is not a requirement for slaughter in countries in the Middle East.

The economics aren’t stacking up.

In light of this and other reasons, the export of live sheep has been an industry that has been declining for a long time.

Although the industry might claim that stopping live export would mean the end of the Australian sheep industry, an economic analysis carried out by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences in 2021 concluded that the elimination of live export would only have a significant economic impact, and then a relatively easy and cost-effective transition to new markets.

It’s time to think about the eventual end of this trade and create a better and more durable future for Australian farmers.

Australians have been heard – time and over …

The polling was commissioned by RSPCA and conducted by an independent party with an unrepresentative group of 1,500 Australians and discovered that more than 2/3 (67 percent) of Australians remain in support of putting an end to live export.

We were not shocked to hear that – whenever Australians are asked about this issue, most of them have voiced their displeasure with trade. It’s interesting to note that the level of opposition to live export is high despite the huge PR effort by the industry to improve its damaged reputation.

The that we often hear is that it’s only people from cities who oppose live export. The data do not prove that. The poll by independent researchers found the majority of Australians, regardless of whether they live in capital cities, smaller towns and cities, or rural or country regions, support the end of live export. In addition, Western Australia – where more than 80 percent of Australian sheep are exported live from- has the highest percentage of opposing live exports of all, and 70% of them want to end the trade.

There was no survey of the demographics that showed live exports were viewed as a threat lower than 61 percent.

The rolling back of the prohibition period we talked about? A majority of Australians don’t support reducing the period of prohibition and do not want to place hundreds of thousands of sheep in conditions that do not meet their basic welfare needs are not being met.

It is impossible to prove that the people of the community support live sheep exports. The facts are obvious – Australians would like live sheep export to stop.

What is required to occur

Eliminating live sheep exports and helping farmers in transitioning to more sustainable and humane alternatives to markets are the most sustainable options. It’s the time to move out of live exports as well as a steady decrease in the number of animals that are exported and being exposed to unsafe conditions and rising temperatures, and the frozen and chilled meat market only. It will ensure that sheep are killed humanely in Australia.

This is what the community wants and wants. This is what’s best in the near future for Australian agriculture and our global standing. It’s the right time to make a change.