Members of the WA sheep industry say they are already feeling the impact of the federal government's upcoming live export ban.West Australian agriculture figures say the federal government's ban on live sheep exports will hurt farmers and regional communities already dealing
"Our staff contribute to so many local towns. People set themselves up and buy a house. It's going to be hard for them because they may have to move on," Mr Spencer said. "We've tried to nurture those people and better them in the industry. We need to keep those people employed," he said.The WA government's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development valued the state's sheep industry at $1.35 billion in 2021-2022.
He said people were leaving the sheep industry, or significantly downsizing, because they had lost confidence in its future — something the export ban would only further reduce."We are seeing activists and inner-city votes take precedence over the science and the truth about a highly regulated industry, and the importance of that industry to the state," Mr Bolt said.
He said other farmers chose not to mate their sheep last spring, reducing the amount of lambs on farms across the state.With depressed livestock prices, high freight costs and years of dry seasonal conditions, he destroyed about 200 head of sheep this year and feared he would have to do it again soon.