IS THE AUSTRALIAN LIVESTOCK SYSTEM AS INTENSIVE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY AS IT IS PORTRAYED?

YES

The RSPCA, Compassion in World Farming and the Soil Association point to pigs kept in confined sow stalls that are banned in the UK; sheep subjected to mulesing (a painful procedure where folds of skin and flesh are cut off without anaesthetic to prevent flystrike), a practice illegal in the UK; powdered eggs from battery-caged hens, outlawed in Britain since 2012, plus the use of some hormone growth promoters, pesticides and feed additives that are banned in the UK.

WWF says clearing native vegetation for pasture has sacrificed wildlife habitat, while poor grazing practices have seen excess sediments enter waterways and damage sites such as the Great Barrier Reef. Critics also point to the fossil fuel required to transport meat 10,000 miles to the UK.

NO

Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) rejects criticisms over the country’s welfare standards and says it has strict farm assurance and chain-traceability mechanisms.

MLA says Australian farmers work hard to produce food in the face of extreme climatic conditions, including heatwaves, droughts, fires and floods. In 2019, Australia experienced its hottest and driest year on record and cattle and sheep producers were forced to destock paddocks, driving the national herd and flock to historical lows. A series of nationwide bushfires placed further pressure on cattle rearing.

The extreme weather experienced in Australia means livestock farmers have for some time been making investments into the efficient and effective management of soil health, water and methane emission as well as introducing grazing systems that incorporate pastures resilient to hotter and more variable climates, says MLA. It also claims agriculture is contributing more to reducing greenhouse gas emissions than any other sector in the Australian economy. It highlights progress in biosecurity, the increased use of pain relief for livestock and compliance with Australian standards for chemical residues and reduced water usage.