Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan has suggested a summer ban on livestock exports after video emerged showing sheep dying in extreme heat and filth on a Middle East-bound vessel.
Western Australia's agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan has suggested a summer ban on livestock exports after video emerged showing sheep dying in extreme heat and filth on a Middle East-bound vessel.
Ms MacTiernan has also called for the phasing out of older live export ships.
She said the McGowan government has begun an investigation into the shipment under the state's animal welfare laws and has repeatedly complained to the federal government about standards in the industry.
"The federal government has had its head in the sand," she told reporters on Monday
"We've been out there absolutely pushing the industry."
It recently emerged that 2,400 sheep had died from heat stress on an Emanuel Exports consignment on board the Awassi Express to the Middle East in August.
Ms MacTiernan said she would welcome any action from the new Federal Agriculture Minister on this issue.
"The Federal Government needs to seriously consider if and how basic animal welfare requirements can be met when taking sheep on voyages from the Western Australian winter to the height of Middle Eastern summer.
"We will also continue to look at how to encourage more onshore meat processing, to get more value out of our livestock and create more jobs in Western Australian abattoirs."
Federal agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the government would thoroughly investigate the capabilities of the live export regulator.
"I have now engaged with the Attorney-General's office to help me undertake a review of the skills and capabilities and culture of the regulator, in providing a better investigative powers," he said.
Mr Littleproud said it was a serious concern that previous reports from the regulator had found no breach of standards by Emanuel Exports.
WAFarmers livestock division president David Slade says he's horrified by the footage and the organisation will meet with Minister Littleproud on Tuesday to offer suggestions on how to take control of the supply chain and stop the suffering.
The Western Australian Liberal Opposition said it condemned any form of cruelty to animals and called for zero tolerance of companies that fail to meet regulated welfare standards for the transport of live animals.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture Ian Blayney said he, like all right-minded Western Australians, found the weekend vision of the mistreatment of animals on the live sheep carrier Awassi Express extremely disturbing.
“No West Australian could look at that footage and not be deeply upset,” he said.
“The footage is proof that not all operators are adhering to the high standards that are regulated and there should be no leeway for those operators.
“We cannot allow this type of cruelty to happen and we cannot jeopardise what is a multi-million dollar export industry for this State.”
Mr Blayney said live exports were crucial to the long-term sustainability of the sheep industry in WA and rigid enforcement of standards was crucial for the sustainability of the live export trade.
“We have to get this right,” Mr Blayney said. “WA farmers produce approximately 4 million lambs every year and it is live exports that underpin the viability of the sector, ensuring jobs for thousands of Western Australians.
“We have the regulations and standards in place, they must be enforced.”