Nation-wide rallies call for live export ban
Thousands of protestors attended rallies October 6, placing pressure on the Federal Government to end the live export of Australian livestock.
The large numbers that gathered in each capital city, on Saturday, reflected mounting public concern over the cruelty involved in the live trade.
“The recent cruel treatment of Australian sheep stranded at sea and subject to brutality in Pakistan must be the final wake up call to the federal government and the live export industry. This trade has to end,” said Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, in the lead up to the protests.
Senator Rhiannon spoke at the Sydney rally, alongside Glenys Oogjes (Animals Australia), Christine Townend (Animal Liberation NSW) and Sam McLean (GetUp!).
She received strong support from the public present, who demanded that the Labor government take action.
“Government promises to clean up this industry are worthless. No amount of regulation can end the cruelty that is inherent in the live export trade,” the Senator explained.
‘The Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System has failed. Wellard, the exporter involved in the shipment to Pakistan, has admitted that it lost control of its own operation,” she added.
Rhiannon said that the only way to ensure an improvement in animal welfare would be to ban live trade, and ensure that our livestock come under Australian standards.
This movement has been supported by other members of the Greens, and of the public, who have called on the government to support Australian processing facilities instead.
‘Thousands of jobs would be created and local economies strengthened by processing the meat locally,” Rhiannon explained. “Studies have shown that most Australian beef cattle farms have diversified and are not completely reliant on live exports,” she added.
Following the success of the rallies, Rhiannon intends to take the live-export debate to parliament this week.
Got something to say? Join the export forum here at DynamicExport.com.au.
