Campaign Updates
29/02/2012
Government fails animals in Indonesia
Last night on ABC’s Lateline program, the Australian public once again saw the cruel reality of the live export trade. The evidence gathered from Indonesia demonstrates how hard it is to protect the welfare of animals exported overseas.
The footage showed major breaches to the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System, a system that was put in place by the Australian Government after terrible cruelty was exposed on the ABC’s Four Corners program last year. Nine months later, it seems the system has failed.
This new evidence has shown yet again the cruelty involved in the live export trade. However, whilst ever this trade continues, the very least that Australian animals deserve is not to feel the pain and distress of dying.
Please take action and write to the Minister for Agriculture Senator Joe Ludwig to express your opposition to live exports and to the Gillard Government’s continued support for the slaughter of animals while fully conscious.
Had the Federal Government mandated stunning in their Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System the suffering shown in this footage would not have occurred.
Watch Lateline's story Warning: Graphic images
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21/10/2011
A review into Australia’s live trade has failed to stop one of the cruellest aspects of live export – un-stunned slaughter. In fact stunning wasn’t even included in a recommendation to government.
This is an appalling omission and one completely at odds with the expectations of caring Australians, who after witnessing the horrors of un-stunned slaughter will never accept it.
The Australian government asks us to be reassured that animals can only go to facilities that meet International Standards (OIE guidelines). Those guidelines are well below Australian standards and do not require our animals to be stunned. Millions of exported animals every year will continue to experience the pain and distress of dying.
Does your Federal MP truly know what they are supporting? Why not show them what international standards really look like: - http://www.rspca.org.au/international-standards then ask them if they think this is OK …
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12/10/2011
Some bad news … but some good too
It is a week of big decisions in the Federal parliament but we are disappointed to report that the one vote that mattered for animals has failed.
Despite the pleas of over 60,000 Australians and a group of caring ALP members in caucus, the government has decided that exported animals will still be subjected to fully conscious slaughter in importing countries.
It is profoundly disappointing that the ALP had an opportunity to end the cruellest aspect of live export and improve animal welfare internationally yet has chosen the path of least resistance by stating that stunning is ‘preferable’ not ‘required’.
That word will provide little comfort to the animals that will continue to suffer through the pain and distress of un-stunned slaughter.
The good news is that animals still have some unwavering allies in Parliament. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, a staunch opponent of the live trade, will submit new legislation to parliament stating that if the live export industry is to continue for the time being, it must afford animals protection from un-stunned slaughter. Our immediate focus is now on ensuring this bill gets the support it needs.
This time the vote will be put to all Federal MPs. Today is a great day to remind your MP that you are counting on them to represent you and the interests of animals.
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07/10/2011
Labor MPs and Senators were inundated with over 50,000 emails last month urging them to vote in support of a plan to ensure all exported cattle and sheep are stunned unconscious before slaughter.
That all important vote was delayed until next Tuesday 11 October. They have no doubt heard our message loud and clear but let’s remind them that this issue will not go away and that caring Australians will not tolerate any less than the most basic protection for animals born into our care.
We want live export to end and will continue to fight for that. But while it continues we must not tolerate animals having their throats cut while they are conscious.
Please take 2 minutes to urge your Labor MP or Senator to support this motion. Their vote to mandate stunning will alleviate the most brutal aspect of live export.
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07/09/2011
Wondering what the 'international standards' for live export are?
Warning: contains graphic images of standard practices inflicted on animals in the Australian live export trade. Help end this cruelty at BanLiveExport.com
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31/08/2011
It's time to contact your Labor MP again!
You no doubt shared the RSPCA’s bitter disappointment that our Federal parliament recently voted down the Bills to end live export. But we have been presented with a new opportunity that while it won’t end the trade right now, it will alleviate some of the worst cruelty endured by our animals in importing countries. When Labor MPs are next in Canberra they will vote on a proposal that would mean all animals exported live will need to be stunned before slaughter. This is a legal requirement in Australia because our law recognises that un-stunned slaughter of animals is cruel. If this trade is going to continue for now, the most basic protection we can afford Australian animals is to not feel the pain and distress of dying. Encourage Labor MPs to take this important step.
Your voice has helped put this proposal on the table so please help us get it over the line by contacting your Labor MP today by clicking the Take Action button below. If your MP is from another party, write to your Labor Senator by clicking here.
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14/08/2011
20,000 rally for animals
Ban Live Export National Rally from Animals Australia on Vimeo.