12 Months on - Industry Suffers from Live Export Ban

AUSTRALIA - The Western Australian Farmers Federation) (WAFarmers) has urged the community to recognise the devastating impact that the 2011 live export suspension had upon northern Australia, with this marking 12 months since the ban was put in place by the Federal Government.
calendar icon 8 June 2012
clock icon 2 minute read

WAFarmers Meat Section President Jeff Murray said suspending the live export trade was a blow from which many Northern producers may never fully recover.

“The annual income lost through this period will never be retrieved. The losses felt by producers and small businesses are irreversible,” Mr Murray said.

“The impacts of the live export suspension, were not just felt by cattle producers but cut off the life blood for mustering contractors, helicopter pilots and countless small businesses that are dependent on the trade.”

Mr Murray said during the suspension many of the cattle became unsuitable for the Indonesian market, forcing producers to find alternative markets.

“This led to a flow on impact in the Southern markets with anecdotal evidence demonstrating a lack of confidence amongst WA beef and sheep producers,” he said.

Mr Murray encouraged the general public to remember that farmers and pastoralists are committed to animal welfare and were devastated by the images of animal cruelty depicted in the Four Corners footage.

WAFarmers is fully supportive of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) which now assures the welfare of Australian animals in export markets.

“There is no excuse for animal cruelty and WA farmers are committed to ensuring high animal welfare outcomes,” Mr Murray concluded.

WAFarmers has reiterated their strong commitment to supporting pastoralists and will continue working with pastoralists and Government to mitigate the damage and improve conditions where possible.

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