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BREAKING NEWS! Live cattle trade suspended
8 June 2011 Have your say
After eight days of intense public pressure following the exposure of horrendous cruelty documented by Animals Australia investigators, the Gillard Government has announced a suspension on the live cattle trade to Indonesia.
A little more than a week ago, shockwaves were sent across Australia as Four Corners aired the results of Animals Australia's most recent live export investigation — this time in Indonesia.
"After seven years of documenting appalling treatment to exported Australian animals in the Middle East, I didn't think I would ever witness worse treatment — sadly I couldn't have been more wrong." said Animals Australia Campaign Director and Investigator, Lyn White.
The graphic images of Australian cattle having their tails broken, tendons slashed, eyes gouged, whipped, and kicked will never be forgotten. Neither will the culpability of Meat and Livestock Australia, which was revealed to have known of the atrocities in Indonesia for more than a decade. Such was the loss in faith in Meat and Livestock Australia and the live export trade that national meat consumption was reported to have dropped by 10 - 15% in one week.
The massive public outcry following the exposé eclipsed the backlash of almost any other political issue in Australian history. Within one week over 200,000 people signed an online petition, over 100,000 Animals Australia and RSPCA Australia supporters had written to the Prime Minister at BanLiveExport.com, and countless politicians were adding additional pressure on the Government to act by speaking out against the brutal trade — many for the first time.
The announcement of the suspension on the live cattle trade to Indonesia is a welcome step towards ending the horrific abuse inflicted on exported animals that were born into Australian care and protection. However, only a complete ban on live animal exports to all countries will ensure that these images are not repeated, and also ensure that Australia sends the strongest possible message to other countries that animals, and their welfare, matters. Animals Australia will continue to campaign rigorously for millions more animals who are destined to be shipped to slaughter in countries where there are no laws to protect them from cruelty.
Please join with us now in a National Week of Action calling for a ban on all live animal exports!
Without the help of hundreds of thousands of caring Australians voicing their concern, this major campaign achievement would never have been realised. Without the support of Animals Australia's members and donors, this investigation would never have been possible. Thank you.
Post a commentYour Say: 567 comments
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Thanh Kimmenade:
Animal
Saturday, 3 March 2012 at 11:44am
How can the government of Australia let this sort of thing happen to any animals. How evil!!!!!!!
Report this
+ 2
+ 2
christine jarred:
CRUELTY NEEDS TO STOP IT'S NOT GOOD IT'S VERY WRONG.
Thursday, 1 March 2012 at 6:28pm
TO SEE THESE ANIMALS SUFFERING LIKE THE WAY THEY ARE IT'S DISPICKABLE, THIS SHOULD NOT BE GOING ON IT'S DISTRESSING EXTREME UNHAPPINESS GREAT PHYSICAL PAIN FOR THE ANIMALS. ALSO SAVAGELY MEAN KILLS.......IF WE CAN DO THE RIGHT WAY WHY NOT????
christine:
l hate cruelty it's very wrong
Wednesday, 29 February 2012 at 8:33pm
these ANIMALS shoudn't be treated like this is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, WRONG it needs to STOP,not keep on going on and on and on like this. When l see this happen it makes me cry and then i hate the people that do it. How would those people like to be treated the same as the Animals, cos believe me!!!!! l would LOVE to do this to them. l have love for any animal, those poor CATTLE, PIGS, SHEEP, ETC.
Kerry Clarke:
THIS HAS TO STOP!
Monday, 15 August 2011 at 2:44pm
How can we honestly live with ourselves? This is barbaric, cruel and totally inhumane. I am in tears because of the video I just saw of a cow being slaughtered - not only is the process prolonged but the poor creature is not stunned and feels every bit of the torture - first it is tripped over and falls heavily to the ground on its side. Then it is slowly tied up so you can see the fear in it's eyes and hear it's frightened cries. Then need I say more...This has got to stop! I could not be less proud to be an Australian right now :(
Show 1 reply
caitlyn:
i hate live cattle exports
Friday, 29 July 2011 at 8:48pm
I HATE LIKE CATTLE EXPORTS
Aussie Animal Lover:
BAN THIS TRADE NOW!!!!
Tuesday, 26 July 2011 at 11:32pm
My concern now about this dreadful cattle trade to Indonesia is that theses barbaric evil creeps that work in the abbitoirs will deliberately go out of their way to be even more cruel to our beautiful cattle because Australia stopped the trade.
I was just reading a Jakarta news article that said once the animals changed hands at our port their laws will take over.
This trade must never start up again but unfortunately it is all about the dollar. PLEASE STOP LIVE EXPORT FOREVER.
I was just reading a Jakarta news article that said once the animals changed hands at our port their laws will take over.
This trade must never start up again but unfortunately it is all about the dollar. PLEASE STOP LIVE EXPORT FOREVER.
Ms Lee Borbas:
Ban Live Exports to Indonesia
Monday, 25 July 2011 at 5:53pm
It is most likely that Indonesians would not listen to Western advice regarding the humane treatment of animals; they have a different mindset and do not believe that their methods in their abattoirs constitute animal cruelty.
Islamic teachings speak to the importance of humane treatment of animals, but the sheer numbers of animals bought and sacrificed inevitably leads to cruelty on a massive scale as the welfare of individual animals is forgotten.
The Festival of Sacrifice in the Middle East marks one of the darkest times on the animal welfare calendar. Tragically, hundreds of thousands of exported Australian animals are amongst the millions of animals who are sacrificed during religious celebrations at the end of Hajj.
I urge the banning of all live Australian animal exports, both sheep and cattle, to the Middle East and Indonesia.
Ms Lee Borbas
Show 3 repliesIslamic teachings speak to the importance of humane treatment of animals, but the sheer numbers of animals bought and sacrificed inevitably leads to cruelty on a massive scale as the welfare of individual animals is forgotten.
The Festival of Sacrifice in the Middle East marks one of the darkest times on the animal welfare calendar. Tragically, hundreds of thousands of exported Australian animals are amongst the millions of animals who are sacrificed during religious celebrations at the end of Hajj.
I urge the banning of all live Australian animal exports, both sheep and cattle, to the Middle East and Indonesia.
Ms Lee Borbas
bryan seidel:
fronting the bill
Monday, 4 July 2011 at 4:21pm
Its all good and well to suspend cattle trade but are we all going to foot the bill for the cattlemen?. Now what are we to do with the cattle not exported, let them loose in the outback? shoot them? let them die of thirst?. Which one of you on this forum is going to deal with the excess amount of cattle now. The market is now flooded so even large processors wont buy them now, and the local markets will now suffer and more cattle will have to be exterminated. If you had spent more time thinking of a plan to educate the indo's in the long run there would be alot less wasteful slaughtering
Show 5 replies
V:
Save the animals.
Thursday, 30 June 2011 at 12:00am
Why haven't these people who deal in this horrific business saved for a rainy day. Perhaps they thought they would always have protection. You have obviously got in above your head with debt and the breeding of far too many cattle to handle. On the nose and very oportunistic. If one animal leaves these shores for slaughter to anywhere it will be one too many. I have not eaten any meat since the programme for the actual fact makes me violently ill. I wouldn't buy any from supermarkets either in case it has been slaughtered in hallal or Kosher methods. I had a look at what is happening in the UK, and it ain't pretty.
Seems these particular cattle breeders feel they are better than the average cattleman. Well they aren't. The smaller breeders are not as greedy as you lot.
I am never going to Korea. They have a Dog meat Festival. and celebrate the killing of dogs to eat. Steamed paws"
Vomit. I wonder what "Footrot Flats" Dog would feel about this.
Seems these particular cattle breeders feel they are better than the average cattleman. Well they aren't. The smaller breeders are not as greedy as you lot.
I am never going to Korea. They have a Dog meat Festival. and celebrate the killing of dogs to eat. Steamed paws"
Vomit. I wonder what "Footrot Flats" Dog would feel about this.
Barry Williams:
so many opinions so few solutions
Tuesday, 28 June 2011 at 1:57pm
The processing of meat in Australia is a very long term solution we will need to change allot for this to work. Give our farmers time to adjust give others time to change and impliment a solution; regulate exports don't ban them.
Sue Le Boutillier:
no more trips to Australia
Friday, 24 June 2011 at 7:38pm
It is with regret that I shall no longer be visiting Australia to keep in touch with friends and family until the government annaounce a PERMENANT ban on ALL live exports; not just to Indonesia but all countries which demand their meat 'fresh and cruel'.
This an outdates and immoral demand and Islamis states must be forces to consider the RIGHTS of animals - which they simply do not do.
In 2011 politicians must make a stand and consider more than simply PROFIT - more and more is being learned all the time about animals and their suffering - it cannot be ignored as amtter of convenience. tribal people were once cannibals - but the world moved on. Now the world must move away from this antiquated demand too.
This an outdates and immoral demand and Islamis states must be forces to consider the RIGHTS of animals - which they simply do not do.
In 2011 politicians must make a stand and consider more than simply PROFIT - more and more is being learned all the time about animals and their suffering - it cannot be ignored as amtter of convenience. tribal people were once cannibals - but the world moved on. Now the world must move away from this antiquated demand too.
Simon:
Indonesia to stop sending maids to Saudi
Thursday, 23 June 2011 at 1:43am
"Indonesia will suspend sending domestic helpers to Saudi Arabia after the beheading of a maid convicted of murdering her Saudi employer, an Indonesia minister says."
"The suspension will take effect on August 1 and will remain until the Saudi government agrees to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to protect Indonesian workers' rights, Iskandar said."
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/indonesia-to-stop-sending-maids-to-saudi-20110623-1gft3.html
Oh the irony...
.
Show 2 replies"The suspension will take effect on August 1 and will remain until the Saudi government agrees to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to protect Indonesian workers' rights, Iskandar said."
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/indonesia-to-stop-sending-maids-to-saudi-20110623-1gft3.html
Oh the irony...
.
V & S:
Austtralian feedlots in Indonesia.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011 at 12:11pm
Can anyone refresh us with the details of the Australian Companies who own the feedlots in Indonesia. I press that if they are still in contol of these livestock that they send them back and have the Government pay the price. The conditions of transport must be impecabble and uncrowded and treatment to be in a caring manor. If Indonesia have already paid, give them a refund. You Australians with type of holding area in Indonesia are as guilty as those that sent them from our shores.
I will just punch home an example:- if a person purchases a pet from a shop, it does not give that person the right to do anything they like with it. There are laws in place to prevent this. The same goes for marriage, you don't own each other.
Show 3 repliesI will just punch home an example:- if a person purchases a pet from a shop, it does not give that person the right to do anything they like with it. There are laws in place to prevent this. The same goes for marriage, you don't own each other.
Anne Fletcher:
Obstruction speaks volumes
Tuesday, 21 June 2011 at 11:56am
The Indonesian government has banned any foreign visits to the abattoirs featured in the Four Corners report, and that includes visits by Redman, Ludwig and an Australian veterinary team that was due to begin inspections of the abattoirs last week. When and if they do allow the Australian officials to inspect any of their abattoirs it will be carefully controlled by the Indonesian government, so what is the point if all they see is a sanitised version that belies the true extent of the problem. And if they are being this obstructive now, what hope have we got of transparency in the future?
Redman (WA's Agricultural Minister) has reported that currently there are enough Australian cattle in Indonesian feedlots to supply the local Indonesian beef market for another three months. What safeguards are in place to ensure that these cattle will be "processed" at abattoirs that use stunning? None, because now that our cattle are over there Australia has no power to control what Indonesia chooses to do with them, and the same will apply to any future deliveries of our cattle.
This cannot be fixed. BAN LIVE EXPORT
Redman (WA's Agricultural Minister) has reported that currently there are enough Australian cattle in Indonesian feedlots to supply the local Indonesian beef market for another three months. What safeguards are in place to ensure that these cattle will be "processed" at abattoirs that use stunning? None, because now that our cattle are over there Australia has no power to control what Indonesia chooses to do with them, and the same will apply to any future deliveries of our cattle.
This cannot be fixed. BAN LIVE EXPORT
kathof Albury:
resumption of buthering
Tuesday, 21 June 2011 at 9:29am
Heard today on the news that when buthering in the hellholes of Indonesia recommence, they will not be using stun guns but still cutting their throats while they are conscious. Surely we can let this happen again, if we cannot stop it we are just taking a step backwards and all our demonstrations have been for nothing.We must maintain the rage""
Show 2 replies
Rosina Saunders:
DEFINING DEMOCRACY
Tuesday, 21 June 2011 at 9:28am
I have just come across this wonderful quote from Sir Robert Menzies in a speech, "The Nature of Democracy" which he gave in 1942 on a radio broadcast:
"To stand erect and say, 'I am one of the rulers of my country - there is a position of dignity and responsibility. Yet, they are a dignity and a responsibility which democracy, properly understood, gives to every grown man and woman in this nation'.
Well, as a member of our Australian democracy I ask that we be treated, not as so many hundred thousand votes, BUT AS so many hundred thousand men and women who have concerns about this issue and an outcome in which we have some responsibility.
I ask THAT NO PREJUDICE, STUPIDITY, SELFISHNESS OR VESTED INTEREST stands in the way of preventing further needless cruelty but also but also gives consideration to the economic fall-out for our cattle breeders.
"To stand erect and say, 'I am one of the rulers of my country - there is a position of dignity and responsibility. Yet, they are a dignity and a responsibility which democracy, properly understood, gives to every grown man and woman in this nation'.
Well, as a member of our Australian democracy I ask that we be treated, not as so many hundred thousand votes, BUT AS so many hundred thousand men and women who have concerns about this issue and an outcome in which we have some responsibility.
I ask THAT NO PREJUDICE, STUPIDITY, SELFISHNESS OR VESTED INTEREST stands in the way of preventing further needless cruelty but also but also gives consideration to the economic fall-out for our cattle breeders.
Allan Ricci:
Thom Woodroofe on The Drum
Tuesday, 21 June 2011 at 12:50am
Could this immature, inexperienced talking head be more wrong?
Foreign Affairs analyst?
Give me a break!
Thom Woodroofe doesn't know the first thing about the realities of the imported beef market in Indonesia.
"The best way forward is to build capacity in these countries or to better enforce regulatory mechanisms"
How do you propose to force Indonesia to enforce these regulatory mechanisms Thom? This is the crux of the whole issue. Indonesia will not be dictated to by Australia, isn't that plain enough? And since the decentralisation of power, the provinces will not be dictated to by Jakarta.
The rest of his spiel was about the economic effects of a ban on live exports. Yes Thom we get that but that is irrelevant to the issue, the issue being that the torture of animals is totally unacceptable and 58% of Australians want it banned. The goverment should compensate the industry and develop viable alternatives for indigenous employment.
It's no suprise to me that a 21 year old "foreign affairs analyst" cannot live up to his title. What does surprise me is that he has a regular spot on The Drum.
Foreign Affairs analyst?
Give me a break!
Thom Woodroofe doesn't know the first thing about the realities of the imported beef market in Indonesia.
"The best way forward is to build capacity in these countries or to better enforce regulatory mechanisms"
How do you propose to force Indonesia to enforce these regulatory mechanisms Thom? This is the crux of the whole issue. Indonesia will not be dictated to by Australia, isn't that plain enough? And since the decentralisation of power, the provinces will not be dictated to by Jakarta.
The rest of his spiel was about the economic effects of a ban on live exports. Yes Thom we get that but that is irrelevant to the issue, the issue being that the torture of animals is totally unacceptable and 58% of Australians want it banned. The goverment should compensate the industry and develop viable alternatives for indigenous employment.
It's no suprise to me that a 21 year old "foreign affairs analyst" cannot live up to his title. What does surprise me is that he has a regular spot on The Drum.
Jay:
Redman tours an Indonesian feedlot as plump cattle await grim fate
Monday, 20 June 2011 at 10:02pm
Today the West Australian newspaper featured an editorial of West Australian Agriculture and Food Minister, Terry Redman waving blades of feed in front of hapless Kimberley-tagged cattle at a feedlot in Indonesia who await the most despicable fate.
The absolute cracker for me was this comment "Mr Redman said he needed to see the fate of WA cattle firsthand, conceding that it was ultimately a Federal issue"
Pretty hard to do that and make an informed decision about a trade partnership to foster an industry without access to Indonesian abattoirs, don't you think?
He goes on to say, "To me, it's important that WA doesn't sit on its hands and that it plays a role." He said his visit was not about politics or driving a wedge into the issue.
What is your visit about then Mr Redman?
What a mockery and a totally backward PR total stunt.
Talk about knee-jerk reaction... to save face for the West Australian cattle industry.
What about having a real plan Mr Redman to enforce the welfare of Australian animals and demand access to these shamed facilities, rather than pander to the Indonesian's through sweet talking and photo opportunities.
As sellers of a product we have the rights to dictate trade terms, if our Indonesian trade partners don't like those terms, don't buy. Easy.
Humane people will not accept trade over torture.
Mr Redman along with other negligent industry representatives through their lack of leadership, sensibility and courage, are now through their presence in Indonesia with no clear direction promoting Australia as a soft option country.
The warning signal is loud and clear; the Federal Government are very likely to back down on the live export suspension and are looking very willing to reinstate the trade irrespective of the evidence due to industry pressure.
I applaud the Gillard government for taking the stance and suspending live exports, but this position will be futile without ethical action.
The reason for most of us advocating a total ban on live exports is that we are against the cruelty of the trade. We chose to act on behalf of these creatures who can't speak in defence of themselves.
Pure and simple.
Show 8 repliesThe absolute cracker for me was this comment "Mr Redman said he needed to see the fate of WA cattle firsthand, conceding that it was ultimately a Federal issue"
Pretty hard to do that and make an informed decision about a trade partnership to foster an industry without access to Indonesian abattoirs, don't you think?
He goes on to say, "To me, it's important that WA doesn't sit on its hands and that it plays a role." He said his visit was not about politics or driving a wedge into the issue.
What is your visit about then Mr Redman?
What a mockery and a totally backward PR total stunt.
Talk about knee-jerk reaction... to save face for the West Australian cattle industry.
What about having a real plan Mr Redman to enforce the welfare of Australian animals and demand access to these shamed facilities, rather than pander to the Indonesian's through sweet talking and photo opportunities.
As sellers of a product we have the rights to dictate trade terms, if our Indonesian trade partners don't like those terms, don't buy. Easy.
Humane people will not accept trade over torture.
Mr Redman along with other negligent industry representatives through their lack of leadership, sensibility and courage, are now through their presence in Indonesia with no clear direction promoting Australia as a soft option country.
The warning signal is loud and clear; the Federal Government are very likely to back down on the live export suspension and are looking very willing to reinstate the trade irrespective of the evidence due to industry pressure.
I applaud the Gillard government for taking the stance and suspending live exports, but this position will be futile without ethical action.
The reason for most of us advocating a total ban on live exports is that we are against the cruelty of the trade. We chose to act on behalf of these creatures who can't speak in defence of themselves.
Pure and simple.
Anne Fletcher:
Update Ludwigs' attempt to fix broken system
Monday, 20 June 2011 at 10:01pm
'Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig leaves a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart without reaching agreement on animal welfare standards.'
Source:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/justin/
This should come as no surprise. It's not possible to make this industry humane.
Source:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/justin/
This should come as no surprise. It's not possible to make this industry humane.
Rosina Saunders:
SELECTIVE COLLABORATION
Monday, 20 June 2011 at 9:14pm
Tonight I watched our JuLIAR say, with a perfectly straight face, that she was proud to be having discussions with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key regarding their leading the way with a Carbon Tax in New Zealand.
Well hello, JuLIAR, talk to him about how New Zealand had also led the way, since 2004, IN BANNING ALL LIVE EXPORTS.
Ask him if we can borrow their team of Trade and Export advisors and negotiators.
Nick Xenophon is tabling a Bill in Parliament to ban all live exports BY 2014 - well, that's another 3 years of suffering and sadistic humiliation for more animals. Whilst I applaud his doing this, it is not soon enough.
We can move pretty quickly in this country in an emergency. Well, I would think this is URGENT.
There is $12,000,000 sitting in an advertising budget to try and force a Carbon Tax on us - surely that will go a long way to building abattoirs at Australian mustering ports?? And provide an awful lot of jobs for Australians.
Show 10 repliesWell hello, JuLIAR, talk to him about how New Zealand had also led the way, since 2004, IN BANNING ALL LIVE EXPORTS.
Ask him if we can borrow their team of Trade and Export advisors and negotiators.
Nick Xenophon is tabling a Bill in Parliament to ban all live exports BY 2014 - well, that's another 3 years of suffering and sadistic humiliation for more animals. Whilst I applaud his doing this, it is not soon enough.
We can move pretty quickly in this country in an emergency. Well, I would think this is URGENT.
There is $12,000,000 sitting in an advertising budget to try and force a Carbon Tax on us - surely that will go a long way to building abattoirs at Australian mustering ports?? And provide an awful lot of jobs for Australians.
See also:Live export exposé wins at the LogiesEvidence mounts against live exportAnimals Australia urges Egypt to take stranded cattleOpinion: Our live export shameLabor MPs tell government not to settle with cattle exporters
Millions of Australian animals are exported live to countries where they routinely suffer unspeakable cruelty that would be illegal in Australia. Find out more...
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