What is the legislation?
On the 1st July 2024 the Australian Parliament passed legislation to end live sheep export by sea. The legislation was introduced as an amendment to the Export Control Act 2020, and sets an end date for the trade by 1st May 2028.
This means that after 1 May 2028 it will be illegal to export live sheep by sea from Australia.
The legislation also enables the Minister to work with the Department of Agriculture to make arrangements to provide financial assistance and grants for people involved in the industry to transition out of the trade of exporting live sheep by sea.
Why is the legislation important?
The legislation sets a definitive end date for the export of live sheep by sea. It provides a clear indication to those involved in the trade and throughout the supply chain that they need to prepare over the coming years to transition away from reliance on the live sheep export industry.
Live sheep export by sea carries with it inherent and unfixable risks to the welfare of the sheep. The vessels pass through the equator in hot and humid conditions that puts sheep at risk of heat stress. In addition, sheep are exposed to environmental conditions that negatively impact on their welfare, including constant loud noises, unnatural lighting, crowded conditions, and standing in their own faeces for the duration of the journey. On arrival at their destination, most sheep are also not stunned prior to slaughter which means they suffer pain and distress in their last moments alive. To read more about the inherent animal welfare risks of live sheep export, see here.
What about cattle and other species?
The legislation is specific to sheep and therefore the export of cattle, goats and other species will continue.
What about export of sheep by air?
The export of sheep by air will continue. In 2022/2023 18,887 sheep were exported by air.
What happens between now and 1 May 2028?
Live sheep export by sea can continue until 1 May 2028. In the interim period the Government and Department of Agriculture will be working to release money as part of a transition package to support farmers and the supply chain to transition to other market opportunities, including increasing the abattoir capacity for processing of sheep in Western Australia.
The RSPCA will continue to advocate for improved welfare of sheep and greater transparency from the industry in the interim years, including:
- Enforcing maximum ammonia levels and better management of air quality on board live export vessels
- Extension of the northern hemisphere summer prohibition to further reduce the risk of heat stress
- The requirement for a veterinarian to be on board every vessel
- The requirement for independent observers to be on board every vessel
- Improved public reporting of independent observer and veterinary findings on board vessels.
What does this legislation mean for farmers and the livestock industry?
Western Australia is the only state in Australia still exporting live sheep. Farmers and the entire supply chain in Western Australia will need to adapt to new arrangements to manage their sheep flock.
The meat export industry is growing rapidly, and as recently as July 2024 Australia reported the highest value of lamb and mutton meat exports on record, with expanding markets available in the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and the US.
There is opportunity to continue the success and sustainability of the Western Australian sheep industry by expanding local meat processing which is better for sheep welfare and will create more jobs on Australian shores.
