Live Sheep Export Ban Introduced Into Parliament, With Coalition Pushback

Sheep drink from a small dam in a farm paddock in the south of Western Australia on March 24, 2024. (Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times)

A ban on live sheep exports has been introduced to the Australian parliament, sparking an urgent motion from the Coalition to seek a deeper investigation.

The Labor Party introduced the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024 on May 30.

The bill (pdf) would ban live sheep from being exported from Australia by sea from May 1, 2028, designating them as “permanently prohibited exports.”

Leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, said the urgent motion was needed because farmers deserve answers and a thorough investigation into Labor’s “reckless” decision.

“We need a parliamentary inquiry to uncover Labor’s secrecy into the decision. It is shameful the motion was voted down. Industry has never had the science explained to them why they are closing the industry,” he said.

“Farmers were also blindsided when Minister Watt announced from a high-rise in Perth the live sheep export industry would be phased out by May 1, 2028.”

In contrast, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said the Australian sheep industry now has the “time, support and certainty” it needs to plan effectively for the future.

The Minister said once the legislation is passed, more information on the transition support programs will be available in the second half of the year to help people start preparing.

“We have put $107 million (US$70 million) on the table to ensure those affected by the phase out are well-positioned and ready when the trade ends in May 2028,” he said.

“This is a policy that invests in the future of the Australian sheep industry.”

Farmers Convoy Will Fight Back in Perth: Liberal MP

However, Liberal MP and Shadow Assistant Minister for Trade Rick Wilson said Western Australian farmers are fighting back.

Mr. Wilson said he will be part of a convoy that will roll through the centre of Perth on Friday, May 31.

The parliamentarian said he believes there are up to 1,300 vehicles involved at this stage and it is snowballing and growing by the minute.

“We will send a strong message back to Canberra, that the Western Australian community will not accept this and now is the start of the fight back,” he said.

Mr. Wilson seconded the motion put forward by Coalition colleague Mr. Littleproud in the House of Representatives to try to stop the phase-out of live sheep export trade.

“It’s an absolute disgrace, no consultation from the Minister or any of the members of the Labor Party with Western Australian farmers,” he said in a Facebook video.

“They’ve made this unilateral announcement and [it] is now in the parliament in the process of becoming law.”

Farmers Launch “Keep The Sheep” Campaign

Meanwhile, farming communities have launched a “Keep the Sheep campaign,” with 9,103 signatures seeking to overturn the ban and make an impact before the election.

“Our campaign is bigger than just politics, it’s about people’s lives and livelihoods. The sheep industry has been the backbone of rural towns for over a hundred years and will soon disappear,” the petition reads.

“We don’t have a second to waste.”

In a Facebook post, the group noted once the sheep are gone, they are gone for good.

“And with them will go our farmers, stock agents, shearers, truckies, schools, and sporting clubs. So many of us in regional towns rely on the sheep industry to survive,” they posted.

Government Says Bill Will “Strengthen Sheep Welfare”

In parliament on May 30, Regional Development Minister Catherine King defended the bill, stating it would “strengthen sheep welfare” to better align Australian export law with community expectations.

She said the government and the Australian people recognise that there are “inherent risks” in the export of live sheep by sea.

“Despite numerous reviews and subsequent reforms, the Australian public continues to hold concerns about sheep welfare,” she said.

Ms. King pointed to 43,958 Australians signing a petition in 2023 calling for parliament to legislate an end date to the export of live sheep by sea.

She said the government bill aligns with the recommendations of an independent panel appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry to consult with stakeholders.

“The independent panel undertook extensive public consultations on how and when the phase-out could occur, including engagement with more than 2,000 people in person and considering over 4,100 submissions and survey response,” Ms. King said.

“Legislating a firm end date is considered by the government as the best means for producers, businesses and markets to make business decisions with a level of certainty, and work within a clearly defined timeframe for the closure of the trade.”

In parliament, Mr. Littleproud proposed a motion referring the bill to the standing committee on agriculture for an advisory report by Oct. 8, 2024.

“For the government to not even have the courage of their own convictions and face Western Australian farmers and explain the science behind why they are shutting this industry down shows an absolute contempt for Western Australians, who do this better than anyone else,” he said.

His motion was defeated with 55 votes in favor and 82 against.

Independent MP Welcomes Live Sheep Export Ban

Meanwhile, Tasmanian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie welcomed the live sheep export ban being brought into parliament.

He argued the ban would enhance Australia’s reputation as an “ethical food producer” and a leader in animal welfare.

“With thousands of animals suffering on the voyages, it was unconscionable that the barbarity was allowed to continue,” he said in a media release on May 30.

“It is disappointing that the trade will continue until 2028, there will be no cap on the number of sheep that can be, exported until that time, and there is no ban on beef cattle exports.”