But the National Farmers’ Federation,the Live Exporters’ Council,WA Farmers,Sheep Producers Australia,and 19 other state and federal agricultural associations have pushed for a reversal of the decision. The groups argue the industry has since improved its animal welfare standards,making the ban an “abject failure” that would mean Middle Eastern markets simply purchased sheep elsewhere.
“Banning sheep live exports from Australia will alter supply dynamics,however,it will not change global demand,” the open letter states.
“This policy will cause harm. It will hurt Australian families and damage Australia’s international standing as a reliable supplier of food and fibre and a trusted trading partner.
Loading
“We simply cannot support or reconcile logic without scientific basis of the phase out of a legitimate world-leading industry for purely domestic political purposes,and therefore cannot accept anything less than a policy reversal,” it continues.
“We are the voices of Australian agriculture. We need you and your government to listen to us.”
The federal government has not outlined a timeline for when the ban will be implemented,only that it will not happen during the current term. The advisory panel into the ban was due to issue a report on the phase-out by the end of September,but this has been extended to October 25.