RSPCA calls for live exports of animals to be stopped as a government-imposed four-month ban comes to an end
- The RSPCA in SA is calling for the state to withdraw from live export trading
- This comes after the end of a government-imposed ban on live sheep exports
- The live sheep trade was resumed in Western Australia on Monday
The RSPCA in South Australia is calling for the state to withdraw from live export trading after the end of a government-imposed four-month ban on live sheep exports to the Middle East.
With live exports again being shipped from Fremantle in WA, RSPCA SA fears a possible resumption of live exporting from Port Adelaide.
It is the second major Australian port for the trade, after WA’s which deals with nearly 90 per cent of live sheep exports.
The RSPCA in SA is calling for the state to withdraw from live export trading after the end of a government-imposed four-month ban on live sheep exports to the Middle East (stock image)
On Monday, the live sheep trade was resumed in WA by exporter Rural Export and Trading WA.
The shipment is bound for Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
RSPCA SA’s Dr Rebekah Eyers said this month’s resumption ignores evidence that exports to the Middle East during September and October are just as dangerous as those at the start of the northern summer period.
“We urge our state government to assist the few South Australian farmers whose sheep may be enduring these horrific journeys, to exit the trade and move toward a more sustainable future,” Dr Eyers said.
RSPCA SA is calling for a review after recently released footage showed cattle suffering poor handling and slaughter practices in Indonesia.
It wants to see independent inspector generals established, to oversee the Agriculture department’s live export regulation.
RSPCA SA is calling for a review after recently released footage showed cattle suffering poor handling and slaughter practices in Indonesia
It wants to see independent inspector generals established, to oversee the Agriculture department’s live export regulation
The organisation also wants to obtain footage and unedited reports from the government’s independent observers who monitor shipments.
The last live export ship to load cattle and sheep at Port Adelaide was the Al Shuwaikh, which departed in May 2018 via Fremantle.
Emanuel Exports was the exporter responsible for the ship which was the subject of leaked footage released in 2017, showing sheep dying in sweltering conditions travelling from Australia to the Middle East.
The federal government’s four-month moratorium was imposed in response to the public outcry at the footage.
The federal government’s four-month moratorium was imposed in response to the public outcry at the footage (stock image)