Is Live Export Legal In Australia?

On 30 May 2011, the live export trade in Australia was suspended for three months after the release of shocking reports of animal abuse in Indonesian abattoirs. A new regime, the Export Supply Chain Assurance Scheme (‘ESCAS’) was then introduced in order to combat the regulatory problems with the live export trade.

Are live animal exports banned?

On live exports, the statement confirms that cattle, sheep, goats and pigs will be banned from being shipped from England, Wales and Scotland for slaughter or fattening. The original intention was that “fattening” should mean an animal that is slaughtered within six months of arrival, but this has now been dropped.

When was the live export ban?

It has been a year since the Federal Court’s historic ruling in favour of the northern cattle industry, determining that former agriculture minister Joe Ludwig acted with misfeasance when the then Gillard government introduced the ban in June 2011.

Why the live export is important in Australia?

* A majority of people agree that live export is important to regional communities in Australia, important to farmers and the farming community, and helps to improve diet and nutrition of people in destination markets.

When did live export start in Australia?

Australia’s livestock producers were amongst the nation’s first exporters, with live animal shipments dating back to 1829. The opening of large cattle stations in the Northern Territory and Kimberley in the 1880s was driven by the potential of exports to Asian markets.

Should Australia continue live animal exports?

The export of live animals for slaughter is inherently high-risk, with decades of repeated evidence of suffering and cruelty. The RSPCA believes live animal export should be phased out in favour of an increased trade in boxed and chilled meat from animals that have been humanely slaughtered here in Australia.

Why are live exports bad?

The export of live sheep, cattle and goats for slaughter gives rise to serious welfare problems — these relate to the conditions animals experience during the journey itself, resulting in extensive suffering and high death rates, and to the treatment of animals once they reach the importing countries.

Can you export live animals?

You can apply to export live animals including horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and hatching eggs following the instructions below. Here you will find guidance and templates to help you make your application.

Does NZ do live exports?

In incredible global progress for animals, New Zealand’s government has announced that they will end the live export of animals by sea, including the export of mother cows from the dairy industry.

How many sheep does Australia export?

In 2019, 1.1 million sheep were exported from Australia.

How much is live export worth to Australia?

Australia’s $2 billion livestock export trade is a major source of employment in the national red meat sector, which is now the country’s largest value-added manufacturing industry.

What is the point of live export?

Live export is used to send stock to multiple international countries. Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council chairman Simon Crean stated in a recent speech that a “demand for live animals exists for a number of reasons, including … feedlots, breeding programs and a desire to build local industry capacity”.

What would happen if Australia stopped live export?

The price impact. Analyst Matt Dalgleish said banning live exports would have a serious impact on sheep and cattle prices. “Sheep prices would decline somewhere between 18 to 35 per cent. In Western Australia, that would cost farmers between $80 million to $150 million,” he said.

Why is live animal export cruel?

Once on-board live export ships, conditions are inherently stressful. Animals experience rough seas, high temperatures, crowding and ammonia buildup from their own waste. Crowding makes it difficult for some animals to lie down and hard for some to reach food or water.

Who is in charge of live export in Australia?

The Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports (IGLAE) was established in 2019 to review the performance of the functions and exercise of powers by the federal government department in charge of regulating live export (the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment).

What would happen if live export stopped?

The industry would lose up to 12 per cent in revenue, almost 60 per cent profit and 30 per cent of value, while businesses such as transport and fodder suppliers would also feel the pinch.

Does Australia export live cattle?

The live export trade is dominated by exports of cattle (which comprise 90% of total live exports) and account for 2.7% of Australian agricultural exports from 2006–2009. … Indonesia remains the largest market for live cattle; however, Israel, Malaysia, Japan and China are developing markets.

What is being done to stop live export?

Stop Live Exports is committed to ending the export of live animals for slaughter. We were founded in the mid-nineties under the name of People Against Cruelty in Animal Transport (PACAT).

Why do countries export live animals?

Some places have religious or cultural reasons, while others lack infrastructure for fresh or frozen storage. Transporting live animals from Australia to the importing countries meets their demand and ensures food security through affordable and fresh meat as well as opportunities to sustain local breeding stock.

When did Australia first export beef?

The nation’s first commercial shipment of chilled beef was consigned on 29 March, 1970 to customers in Japan, in what was arguably the biggest single step the beef industry has taken in moving from its traditional ‘commodity-driven’ focus to a ‘quality-driven’ approach.

What was Australia’s first livestock?

Beef cattle were introduced to Australia in 1788, with the first herds based on British breeds, particularly the Shorthorn.