An inquiry into legislation to phase out live sheep exports has heard from industry groups as well as the RSPCA, Vets Against Live Export and the Australian Alliance for Animals.An inquiry into legislation to phase out live sheep exports has heard from industry groups as well as the RSPCA, Vets Against Live Export and the Australian Alliance for Animals.Farming lobby groups say legislation to end live sheep exports by 2028 sets a “concerning precedent” for other agricultural export markets..
“All agricultural industries are at risk if political and activist agendas are allowed to undermine their future,” Alastair James from the Red Meat Advisory Council told the inquiry.The inquiry heard from industry groups including exporters who are fiercely critical of the proposed ban, and then from groups including the RSPCA, Vets Against Live Export and the Australian Alliance for Animals which support the ban.
“We’re still seeing unacceptable rates of heat stress, gastrointestinal diseases … there are welfare issues that remain, and they remain of concern,” the AVA’s Dr Melanie Latter told the inquiry on Wednesday. “This package is not going to be sufficient … it’s still not clear to us where the $107 million has come from but it is not enough,” Skinner said.Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it mattersBut Cattle Australia and the Red Meat Advisory Council, which do not support the ban on the live sheep trade, said they remained concerned.