Most of you would be aware that 56,000 sheep were destined for the Middle East but we’re given a reprieve because of a COVID outbreak, it now sees the GOALPOST has yet again been moved.
THESE SHEEP ARE SET TO SAIL TO THE MIDDLE EAST DURING THE 3 MONTH BAN!
HOW can this be allowed? A BAN IS A BAN, IT IS NOT A PARTIAL BAN. Janice who is one of the speakers at our protests has written a letter to go to her local member, PLEASE, COPY IT AND PASTE IT INTO AN EMAIL AND SEND IT TO YOUR LOCAL MP, THE OPPOSITION MP, THE AG DEPT, THE PM, whoever you can to get the message out. PLEASE SIGN ANIMALS AUSTRALIA link below.
Dear ..............
I was horrified to hear on the radio this morning that the sheep in WA that were initially saved from being exported in the Northern Hemisphere summer to the Middle East are now to be exported. The regulator and the Department previously had not approved the exemption and were upholding the ban on live exports, which was good.
If these sheep are now being exported, I find this disgusting and reprehensible of our government to overturn this ban of live exports in this period when it was clearly stated that there was to be a ban from June 1- September 14.
Therefore the government have lied, they have wasted tax payer money with the endless reviews over the past 2 years and the public's valuable time in participating in 'Have your Say' website. Mr McCarthy also wasted his time and effort in producing scientific evidence based on cruel heat stress.
I actually believed the government would have the integrity to support their own research into the 'science' that exporting these animals during this period is absolutely cruel.
Under no circumstances should exemptions from regulations prohibiting the export of sheep between 1 June and 14 September be granted to accommodate any consignment of live sheep to the Middle East.
This subjects sheep to unacceptable levels of heat stress and death due to extreme heat and humidity in Middle Eastern waters at this time of year.
Apparently, Al Kuwait's permission to travel was initially banned and the sheep will now travel on a different ship by Wednesday.
So the exporters likely with support from the government have worked around this ban to introduce minor improvements to allow the ban to be lifted.
The Department of Agriculture approved a second application by Rural Export and Trading WA (RETWA) for some sheep to travel on a different ship. The exporter's second application detailed an alternative approach for managing the voyage.
The exemption includes strict measures to protect the health and welfare of the sheep, including unloading at one port only and not loading in an area on the vessel known to be hotter due to engine room location. These are incredibly minor improvements and choosing sheep that are more heat tolerant will still subject these sheep to heat stress. They will still suffer cruelly, they just won't die and when they reach their destination they will have their throats cut fully conscious after suffering a long voyage with very high temperatures. Have the government forgotten the findings of McCarthy that sheep begin to suffer heat stress at 28 degrees Celsius. The temperatures in this region head to 50 degrees Celsius. These sheep may tolerate the heat better but that doesn't mean that they are not suffering.
My question to you is will there be an independent observer in addition to the government/ industry vet on this voyage to report truthful observations as to the condition of these sheep?
Or will there be inaccurate reports to minimise sheep suffering heat stress to support the shipping of sheep in the middle eastern summer and we again return to the 'old ways' of immense cruelty in the industry
Prime Minister Morrison of course is more intent on the trade continuing at all costs and has voiced his opinion of his opposition to a trade cessation because of the economy and has said "if we’re going to stop exporting our agricultural products or our resources, then that is going to hurt our economy drastically". Agricultural products like wheat, grains, produce or resources are not the same as live animals that feel pain and suffering. He is not interested at all in protecting these animals from heat stress and the immeasurable cruelty of live export.
His response is that the live export trade can be managed and the systems are in place. They are not in place if the bans can be overturned. He is delusional after all the tragedies of the past on live export. These animals suffer and will suffer whilst the exporters, lobbyists and the government can make money from the industry. Any improvements now with stocking densities, improved feedlots, ventilation etc will be seriously eroded away as they are not interested in improved animal welfare standards but the almighty dollar.
So there are no protections for these animals if the government do not stand by their word and lie.
My words are harsh because I truly believed the government this time after all the reviews and 'science' would stand by their own words but instead they have caved into the influence and lobbying of the farmers, political heavyweights, exporters and regulators.
Shame on this government!!