Live export campaign FAQs

9 September 2011

Animals Australia receives many enquiries regarding our Ban Live Export campaign. Below we have compiled some answers to the most frequently asked questions.

The government has announced a resumption of the live cattle trade to Indonesia. Is the problem solved now?

After a temporary suspension of the live cattle trade to Indonesia, following Animals Australia's exposé of cruel slaughter methods on Four Corners in May 2011, exports resumed in August under a new set of legal conditions imposed on exporters, which require Australian cattle to be traced and to only be killed in accredited slaughter houses in Indonesia. Those new conditions do not require all cattle to be stunned before slaughter, though some exporters will require this. Regardless, only a complete ban on live animal exports can protect Australian animals from brutality in countries with no animal welfare laws. In addition, such a ban will also ensure that Australia sends the strongest possible message to other countries that animals, and their welfare matter.

Will the tripping method of slaughter used in Indonesia still be permitted?

The 'Mark 1' slaughter restraint box, depicted in the Four Corners program, has recently been reviewed and declared in breach of international (OIE) standards by Australia's Chief Veterinarian (CVO). The box will no longer be permitted to be used to slaughter Australian cattle in Indonesia, unless modified to comply with international standards (and we expect this will be the case for other countries). We have urged Meat and Livestock Australia to modify the existing (100+) restraint boxes to only allow upright stunned slaughter to ensure local cattle are also spared the terrible suffering caused by the Mark 1 boxes. You can see the full report of the CVO on the Mark 1 and the Mark IV boxes here: http://www.liveexports.gov.au/news

What is happening now in regards to standards for Australian animals imported into countries other than Indonesia?

The Government has undertaken to develop 'supply chain assurance' systems for all exported animals, including sheep, cattle and goats to the Middle East and other countries, and proof of these arrangements will be required before export. As with Indonesia, this will require live exporters to ensure all animals go through feedlots, transport and abattoir facilities in importing countries that have been independently audited and publicly reported. The facilities and treatment of the animals will be judged against the minimal OIE international animal welfare standards. Currently it is not proposed to require pre-slaughter stunning for Australian animals. You can check on progress on the Government's live export webpage: http://www.liveexports.gov.au/home

Are the changes that the Australian Government is making to live export rules sufficient to protect animals?

No – the export of our animals to overseas countries is inherently cruel and the risks to their welfare are high. Long distance transport and multiple handling of animals causes stress and illness and tens of thousands die before even reaching importing countries each year. The current live export rules imposed for exports of cattle to Indonesia, and those planned for other countries cannot ensure the protection of Australian animals, and do not require pre-slaughter stunning which is a routine practice in Australian slaughterhouses. Animals Australia and all other animal protection groups oppose live export, and we will continue to campaign for the millions of animals who are destined to be shipped to slaughter in countries where there are still no laws to protect them from cruelty.

Are the changes that Independent Andrew Wilkie MP, and some ALP back bench MPs are proposing, supported by Animals Australia?

Two bills to completely ban the live animal export trade were not successful in the federal parliament in August. Since then the Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, and a group of concerned ALP MPs have (separately) given notice that they wish to progress legislation to include a requirement for stunning all Australian animals before slaughter in importing countries (an extension of current Government plans). Exact details of these proposals are not yet known, but if we assess that such legislation can strategically be a stepping stone to a ban, and will protect Australian animals in the interim period, yes we would support them – all the while continuing to campaign for a complete ban on the trade.

How can I find out more about the Australian Government's current plans, and the current enquiries into live export?

The Government has recently set up a special website which includes statements by the Minister, documents relating to the current taskforces that are drawing up requirements for exports to overseas countries and links to the independent review of live exports being conducted by Bill Farmer AO and other related activities - http://liveexports.gov.au/home

What are the likely effects of a ban on live animal exports on the Australian economy?

Three separate economic reports over the past two years have confirmed that live exports are undermining Australia's meat processing industry - an industry five times more lucrative than live exports. ACIL Tasman's reviews into the live sheep trade found that phasing out live sheep exports would have minimal impact on farmers and would in fact reap greater benefits for farmers and the economy through increased processing in Australia. The most recent report, released last year, reached a damning conclusion about the impact of live cattle exports on Queensland's beef industry. It found that live cattle exports were 'cannibalising' Queensland's beef processing sector and threatened to destroy $3.5 billion worth of assets, $5 billion in turnover and 36,000 jobs.

Is Animals Australia anti-Islam or anti-Indonesians?

Animals Australia does not hold, endorse or encourage racist views. All our campaigns to protect animals from cruelty are solely aimed at that purpose and are unrelated to religion. We do not make judgements on people's religious views, but we do not condone cruelty to animals by anybody.

Contrary to what many people believe, stunning animals prior to slaughter is accepted for halal slaughter and is practiced in Australian abattoirs that produce halal accredited beef (and sheep meat). Despite this, unfortunately stunning is still very rare in Indonesia. The animal cruelty witnessed in our investigation is not halal as it breaches fundamental halal principles of causing minimum harm to animals. This campaign is not about religion — it is solely about animal cruelty. Please click here for more information.

Is it true that if Australia does not supply live cattle to Indonesia, the Indonesians will be denied an important protein source because most households do not have refrigerators to store imported chilled or frozen beef?

No - Beef, whether imported or from Australian animals slaughtered in Indonesia, is not a significant part of the diet of most Indonesians. According to Meat and Livestock Australia's beef promotional video (2010), "Beef is seen as a luxury product here and most Indonesians are unfamiliar with it. Only the wealthiest 10% of Indonesians currently buy beef although this is still 23 million people. And consumption is only about 2kg per head per year."

And further - according to the Indonesian Association of Electronics Entrepreneurs. 60 per cent of households have at least one refrigerator. Ref: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/rising-indonesia-beef-market-must-remain-open/story-e6frg9if-1226074506149

Is it true that New Zealand has banned live export of animals?

New Zealand has not exported live animals for many years, instead focusing on producing processed meat for Europe, Japan and Asia. After a public debate about live export in 2006 and 2007, the New Zealand Government prohibited live export for slaughter (the 2007 Customs Export Prohibition Order) unless a stringent set of welfare conditions could be complied with, both on ships and in regard to treatment in Importing countries (these included auditing of feedlots and abattoirs, compliance with OIE animal welfare guidelines and stunning of animals before slaughter). No live animals have been exported since the Order was introduced.

Former New Zealand Agriculture Jim Anderton was interviewed on ABC radio recently (18/6/2011) and when asked if NZ had been disadvantaged by not exporting live animals, he declared that given the high value of other NZ agricultural exports which could be at risk if NZ's reputation was tarnished by the live export trade '…it is a no brainer as a country and we would not ever think about it (resuming live export) now'.

Given the cruelty that Australian animals are known to endure in importing countries, why has legal action not been taken against the live exporters who send our animals into those countries?

In our view it is unjust that Australian animals can be sent to countries that do not have animal welfare laws or acceptable standards, and therefore our legal advisers have carefully considered this question over the last several years. However, the advice remains that there are currently no legal avenues to prevent Australian animals being exported, even by those who know the animals are likely to be subjected to inhumane treatment. This is why the government must change the law to prevent our animals from being exported to countries which allow these dreadful practices.

Are Australian farmers aware of how their livestock are treated overseas? Do they care?

The feedback that we have received from farmers (cattle and sheep graziers) is that most had no idea how badly many animals were being treated, and they are appalled at the revelations of cruelty. Farmers may have believed that Meat and Livestock Australia and Livecorp programs were improving treatment in importing countries, and the (false) claims that Animals Australia's investigations were showing only 'isolated' incidents. For example a Gulf cattle grazier Annie Clarke, in response to Australia's CVO deeming the Mark I restraint box, used in Indonesia, to be inhumane told the ABC "I'm feeling probably a bit of a fool for having thought that, yes, those who are responsible for this (MLA/Livecorp) are meeting the standards that they're setting here in Australia."

Are there enough abattoirs in Australia to slaughter the animals here?

There are around 8 million cattle slaughtered in Australia each year. Last year around 500,000 cattle were exported to Indonesia, thus they make up only a small portion of the total cattle industry. Even before the restriction on export to Indonesia, only about half the cattle sent to market from the Northern Territory each year (around 600,000) were exported, with the rest being sent to abattoirs here. There are plans underway for several new abattoirs in the north of Australia, one near Darwin, and another being considered for Broome (WA). Many cattle originally destined for Indonesia from the NT and northern Queensland are being slaughtered in Queensland.

Will aboriginal communities be affected by a ban on live exports to Indonesia?

As with all others involved with the northern cattle industry, the suspension of the trade to Indonesia has caused temporary disruptions. However adjustments are being made and there is a combination of cattle being sent south for slaughter and being exported to other live export markets; recent reports (August) indicate exporters are currently unable to source sufficient cattle for export orders. In the future it is likely that abattoirs will be established in the north, and that cattle feedlots will be needed to 'finish' cattle prior to slaughter, just as occurs now prior to export, and thus employment levels should not be affected.

If we stop exporting animals, won't they just import them from other countries?

No other country is in a position to supply disease-free cattle to Indonesia of the type and price required. Similarly there is no obvious alternative of the size, type and price of Australian sheep in the Middle East market. When Bahrain last year was unable to import enough Australian sheep due to drought, they entered into a contract with an Australian meat processor and imported chilled meat instead (killed under Australian conditions, including stunning).

How can I contact my local Federal MP and State Senators?

It is important to ensure that your local Federal MP and State Senators know that you expect them to support a complete ban on live animal exports. You can also find contact details for your local Federal MP on our Find your Federal MP web page and contact details for your State Senators by selecting your state on the Senators website. Please also consider sending them each a hard copy letter, giving them a phone call, or even paying them a personal visit at their offices to make an even stronger impression.

How can I support Animals Australia's work?

All of Animals Australia's critical investigations and campaigns are funded entirely by people in the community who share our vision for a world free from animal cruelty. You can support our work by becoming a member or making an urgent donation to support our campaign. Thank you!

Where can I find more information?

More detailed information on this campaign can be found in the factsheets on our campaign website at www.BanLiveExport.com/#downloadFactsheets