Greens animal welfare spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon today said the report that Australian cattle exported to some South East Asian countries are killed with sledgehammers is further evidence that the live export trade must end.
“This shocking report again highlights that the welfare of stock exported from Australia cannot be controlled from a desk in Canberra,” Senator Rhiannon said.
“These latest acts of extreme animal cruelty further underline the failure of Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce to manage the industry so it meets accepted animal welfare standards and for the benefit of farming communities.
“Ending the live export trade can also bring enormous benefits to Australia farming communities.
“Rebuilding the domestic meat manufacturing industry by opening up abattoirs across regional and rural Australia would create thousands of jobs and help secure Australia a stronger place in the expanding international trade in processed meat.
“My Greens bill to end live exports is before the Senate, and we have a position paper setting out the five steps needs to end this trade+.
“I will continue to pursue these solutions to end the cruel and unnecessary live export trade.
"People in city and country Australia are distressed over live export cruelty and they want the trade to end*.
“People have lost confidence in the ability of government and industry to ensure the welfare of animals,” Senator Rhiannon said.
+ Greens position paper “Growing Australia’s meat processing as an alternative to live exports”:
http://lee-rhiannon.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/121109_position_paper_live_exports_0.pdf
* Links to polling of Australian attitudes on the live export trade:
- http://www.essentialmedia.com.au/live-cattle-export-ban/
- http://www.theage.com.au/national/monthlong-live-cattle-ban-to-indonesia-lifted-20110706-1h2lw.html
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