Sheep deaths lead to call for summer live export ban

A SUMMER ban on livestock exports has been suggested by Western Australia’s agriculture minister after video emerged showing sheep dying in extreme heat and filth on a Middle East-bound vessel.

Alannah MacTiernan (pictured) has also called for the phasing out of older live export ships.

She says the McGowan Government has already begun an investigation into the shipment under the state’s animal welfare laws and has repeatedly complained to the Federal Government about standards in the industry. “The Federal Government has had its head in the sand,” she said yesterday.

“We’ve been out there absolutely pushing the industry.”

WAFarmers livestock division president David Slade said he was horrified by the footage and the organisation would meet with federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud today to offer suggestions on how to take control of the supply chain and stop the suffering.

“If necessary, we have to have air conditioning on the ships so it guarantees some welfare of the sheep,” Mr Slade said. “No farmer would ever raise sheep to end up like that.

“It’s about time we took back some control of our sheep even after they are bought from us.” About 2400 sheep died on the August voyage.