Following advice contrary to what the Independent Regulator has recommended has fired up The Nationals who are now calling on the Labor Government to explain why it’s refusing recommendations on live sheep exports.
The Nationals leader David Littleproud said the Department of Agriculture’s Review as the Independent Regulator of live sheep exports by sea during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer final report recommends ways to improve animal welfare.
“The review makes several date related recommendations to reduce the prohibition period during the Northern Hemisphere summer to certain destinations where heat stress risks are less than previously understood,” the report says.
These recommendations will not be implemented
Mr Littleproud is questioning why the recommendations will not be implemented.
“Minister Murray Watt said he was banning live sheep exports because of the science – now not only will he not table that science, he is ignoring the independent regulators science and needs to detail why,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Why has the Government declined to accept the recommendations, to shorten the prohibition periods for Oman and destinations in the Red Sea.
“We suspect this is due to pressure from the Greens – consistent with Labor’s election pledge to shut down live sheep exports. The fact the Government is ignoring live sheep export advice is extremely concerning.”
Mr Littleproud added any plan to halt the live sheep export trade would destroy 3000 Australian jobs. “The Department is supposed to be the independent regulator of the live sheep industry.
“There is demand for live animal exports, not only on a cultural basis, but also on the basis that other countries don’t have the cold storage facilities needed. This is a food security issue for those countries.
“Our live sheep export trade is worth $107 million in 2021-22, increasing to $119 million next year. Continuing this trade is common sense because it is crucial for our country,” The Nationals leader David Littleproud concluded.
