Jobs and animals are suffering at the hands of the cruel live sheep trade

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has revealed damning evidence of continued welfare abuse of Australian sheep in the live export trade to the Middle East, despite Government and Meat and Livestock Australia claims of improving standards.

At an event in Australia hosted by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP, WSPA presented harrowing new footage, proving the mistreatment of animals throughout the Australian live export supply chain, from dead sheep on transportation ships, through to heat stressed animals and overcrowded sales yards and inhumane handling and slaughter in abattoirs in the Middle East.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said “The latest WSPA investigation demonstrates a clear need for government and industry to invest in humane alternatives to live export, such as locally processed chilled meat, so we can end this trade in misery.”

Also presenting at the event, Grant Courtney, President of the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU) said “in addition to ethical considerations the Government backed live export trade is crippling the Australian meat processing industry, due to intense competition for livestock.”

“I can’t understand why the Government is sticking its head in the sand when thousands of Australian jobs are being lost due to this trade. Independent research has revealed replacing live export with local processing for export could mean an additional 20% in revenue, safeguarding jobs in our vulnerable rural communities” he continued.

WSPA New Zealand’s Programmes Manager, Bridget Vercoe, said it is clear from the evidence revealed in Australia today that despite the best intentions of the Australian Government it is impossible to prevent the inherent suffering of animals transported long distances for sea.

“We applaud the New Zealand Government for the strong stance it has taken on this issue to date and again urge it to go one step further and ban exports of live sheep for slaughter,” she said.

ENDS

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