KEEP THE SHEEP! The Australian federal government has announced it will end Australia’s live sheep export trade by 2028.

Sheep producers that care for their animals both on farm and on live export are left baffled by this decision. It has family farms across Western Australia and the other states and territories with a hole in their hearts of which they’ve operated farms as 1-7 generations.

Don’t listen to the facts of Murray Watts the agricultural minister as they said 71% of WA want to ban it when their survey sample size was just 800 people. 

The Govt said a phase-out includes a measly $107 million transition package for the industry which would equate to $21,400 across 5,000 sheep farms in Western Australia.

What's next? Legislation to be introduced to parliament to by 2028. The current government won’t know of there in government after Christmas. 

We need to stand up and be proactive in our approach as producers and industry. We need to have a longer future in the industry than politicians do with 4 year terms that they never last anyway.

We want access to our markets just like our counterparts in foreign countries want access to fresh meat that is ingrained in their culture. 

This petition is for the everyday Australian that wants to support producers, keep red meat affordable as a high quality protein source and many by products used throughout our every day life.

Keep the sheep provides top tier animal welfare standards across the countries that import our products. Establishment of relationships opens up our economic opportunities whilst providing socioeconomic impact for countries that don’t have access to power or refrigeration that we do.

We implore you to stand up with us and improve the supply chain with us. It all starts at the producer and ends with you the consumer. 

Facts

• In 2017/18, the live sheep trade contributed $209.3 million to the WA economy. (The Livestock Collective)
• Sheep are a vital element to the environment. They pick up $300m worth of grain loss out the back of headers each year just in WA.
• A voyage can be between 3-14 days.
• All Australian exporters must follow the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS).