Live export trade must end now

of shipping animals overseas isn’t just inhumane, it’s extremely risky.

The 2020 sinking of livestock export ship Gulf Livestock 1 saw 41 people and 6000 cows die in the waters off Japan, the latest in a line of needless tragedies.

In 2003 the government banned the live export of sheep for slaughter after 57,000 of the animals on board the Cormo Express were turned away from Saudi Arabia.

After two months at sea, 6000 of them died.

The ban was eventually extended to include cattle, but all it did was create a loophole that’s been well-used ever since: the animals can still be transported for breeding. See what it did there?

But back to shipping these definitely not-for-slaughter animals around the world.

Last year the Government said the practice would be wound down over the next few years and come to an end by

2023.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor acknowledged the benefit some farmers get from the trade, but also noted

‘‘support of it is not universal within the sector’’.

Needing to ‘‘stay ahead of the curve in a world where animal welfare is under increasing scrutiny’’ played a key part in the decision, O’Connor said.

The announcement was, of course, met with fury by those who profit from suffering – in 2019, the trade was worth

$77 million – and also criticised by welfare groups who said the ban should be brought forward. Two years left a lot more time for a lot more agony, after all.

Still, it’s that promise of winding down that’s left an odour at the port of Timaru, where those opposed to the practice say it’s cranking through the exports like never before.

JOHN BISSET/STUFF Tricia Phillips was part of a group protesting against live cattle exports in Timaru.