In 2018 the public were mortified by hundreds of images of starving animals on Australian farms in yet another year of drought.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a statement to say that they are expecting lower than average rainfall and higher than average temperatures through Spring into early Summer, resulting in a "low chance of recovery for drought-affected areas".

Despite these forecasts there is no indication from either the meat or dairy industry that breeding programs will be restricted to accommodate much lower feed availability in the coming year. Instead farmers are culling Australian wildlife in a hope that this will allow sufficient pasture to remain.

We call on Meat & Livestock Australia and Dairy Australia to significantly restrict breeding programs to avoid a repeat of the mass starvation of farm animals seen this year and to preserve Australia's wildlife. Farm animals are sentient beings who suffer dreadfully if not adequately fed and it is simply immoral to breed an animal that you cannot feed.

We ask that Meat & Livestock Australia and Dairy Australia take firm action to bring breeding under control so that they can guarantee that no animal suffers from starvation on any Australian farm in 2019.

Image credit: cnn.com