Australian Government's Plan to Ban Live Sheep Exports by 2028 Faces Backlash

The Australian government's plan to ban live sheep exports by May 2028 has ignited significant controversy, particularly among farmers and political figures. The Nationals have criticized the parliamentary inquiry into the phase-out as 'rushed' and 'disrespectful' to farmers.

The government introduced the Export Control Amendment Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea Bill 2024 to the lower house last Thursday, committing to ending live sheep exports by May 2028. A parliamentary inquiry will be held, with two public hearings scheduled for next week in Canberra and Muresk, Western Australia. The inquiry will report back to the government by June 21.

Nationals Leader David Littleproud has been vocal in his opposition to the inquiry, arguing that it is too rushed and treats farmers with contempt. 'Labor's committee cannot possibly investigate the consequences into the phasing out of the live sheep export trade in such a short timeframe,' he said. Tony Mahar, chief executive of the National Farmers Federation, echoed this sentiment, calling the inquiry a 'stunt' and demanding answers about the science behind closing the industry.

The decision to ban live sheep exports stems from animal welfare concerns, particularly following a 2017 incident where more than 2000 sheep died from heat stress while traveling on a ship from Australia to the Middle East. The government has allocated $107 million for a transition package to support approximately 3000 Western Australian farmers affected by the ban.

Why this matters: The Australian government's plan to ban live sheep exports has significant implications for the country's agricultural sector and animal welfare policies. If implemented, the ban could lead to a shift in the industry, affecting thousands of farmers and potentially impacting Australia's trade relationships with the Middle East.

Despite the government's efforts to provide financial support, the move has been met with resistance from various industry leaders and professionals. Mark Harvey-Sutton, CEO of the Australian Livestock Exporters Council, criticized the short notice for the inquiry hearings, calling it a 'slap in the face' to the industry. 'This is another demonstration of the utter contempt the government has for the industry,' he said.

Western Australia accounts for almost all of Australia's live sheep exports, but the trade has been declining as a result of various factors, including increased scrutiny over animal welfare. The Middle East remains Australia's largest export market for sheep meat, driven by cultural preferences for freshly slaughtered meat during religious festivals.

The Albanese government had previously committed to phasing out live sheep exports if elected, honoring this pledge with the current legislation. However, the opposition from farmers and industry leaders suggests that the road to implementing this ban will be fraught with challenges.

The parliamentary inquiry's progression will necessitate the government addressing the concerns raised by farmers and industry representatives to ensure a smooth transition. The outcome of this inquiry will likely shape the future of Australia's live sheep export industry and its impact on the agricultural sector.

Key Takeaways

• Australia to ban live sheep exports by May 2028, sparking controversy.
• Parliamentary inquiry into phase-out criticized as "rushed" and "disrespectful" to farmers.
• Ban stems from animal welfare concerns, including 2017 incident where 2000 sheep died.
• $107 million allocated for transition package to support 3000 affected Western Australian farmers.
• Ban could impact Australia's agricultural sector and trade relationships with the Middle East.