The live export industry says ending this cruel trade would be bad news for Australia's economy. Here (Courtesy of Animals Australia) are 10 reasons why that's certainly not the case.
- Because live export represents a tiny fraction of
Australia 's exports. In fact live export makes up only 0.3% of our total exports — less than alcohol! - Because most Australian farmers do not live export. Just 8% of cattle and 11% of sheep raised for food in Australia last year actually went into the live export trade.
- Because any political decision to end live export would be a transition over a number of years ... allowing farmers time to adjust their businesses.
- Because Australia's chilled meat trade is more economically valuable. Exports of chilled and frozen meat are worth six times more to Australia's economy than live export.
- Because the shift away from live export is already happening. Just last year, boxed lamb exports to the Middle East jumped 50% to become worth $60 million more than live sheep exports to that region. This means 4.7 million animals weren't forced to endure the trauma of lengthy sea journeys only to be slaughtered while fully conscious.
- Because ending live export will create jobs in Australia. The vast majority of jobs currently supported by live export will still exist without it — in fact more jobs will be created if we stop sending animals off shore. Western Australian abattoirs already have capacity to take all sheep currently going into the live trade — a transition predicted to create an additional 2,000 jobs in WA.
- Because the development of new abattoirs in the North will provide more security for cattle farmers. In fact, the latest economic research shows that cattle producers could double their pre-tax
income and some 1,300 jobs would be created if they had access to an abattoir. - Because nothing could be more high risk than relying on the live animal export trade. Whether triggered by trade disputes, rejections, incidents at sea or animal cruelty exposés — markets can close to producers overnight.
- Because a 10 year analysis of prices have proved that live export does not underpin the price of sheep meat on the domestic market. The research by Sapere Research group determined sheep prices are similar across all geographic locations in Australia regardless of exposure to the live trade.
- Because producers, politicians and the community are being deceived by an industry that puts profits over ethics and welfare. After nearly 20 years in Egypt and 18 years in Indonesia, investigations have repeatedly revealed that all the live export industry has done is endorse the use of brutal slaughter devices, condone un-stunned slaughter and ignore the cruelty that inevitably results.
It's time to end live export:worldwide for animals, for farmers and for our own dignity.
For more info visit AnimalsAustralia
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| 20,000 Australian sheep massacred in Pakistan, beaten stabbed, buried alive. Just one of many live export case histories |
