Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud has reaffirmed that a future Coalition Government will reinstate the live sheep export trade during a debate in the House of Representatives today. Addressing the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024, Mr. Littleproud emphasized that the industry has undergone major reforms since 2019 and is now world-leading.
“It is senseless to remove ourselves from the market, because the Middle East will simply find other markets which don’t have our animal welfare standards,” Mr. Littleproud said.
“Australian exporters can measure the pants of a sheep per minute and the length of their wool to the millimeter on a boat. Animals Australia and the RSPCA are morally bankrupt because they are valuing the life of a sheep in Australia over that from another country. The market overseas will continue, this is a food security and cultural issue.”
Mr. Littleproud pointed out that live sheep exports from Australia increased from 380,000 in 2022 to more than 654,000 in 2023. Despite this growth, Labor plans to phase out the industry by May 1, 2028.
Labor has also announced a disingenuous live sheep phase-out House of Representatives Standing Committee inquiry, which must report back by June 21, despite voting down The Nationals’ motion for an inquiry in the House of Representatives.
“This committee will inevitably be rushed and once again cause more anxiety among farmers. Agriculture Minister Murray Watt is avoiding a Senate inquiry and is still unable to explain the science behind closing the industry and destroying the livelihoods of 3000 farmers.
“Labor’s transition package of $107 million only includes $64.6 million for sheep producers and the supply chain – it isn’t good enough. We also need answers into the so-called independent panel that traveled around WA and the callous way our farmers have been treated by Labor. The Nationals will always back our farmers – a future Coalition Government will reinstate the live sheep export trade.”
