Live Export Facts
Proponents of the live export industry will run the same old lines to justify the trade but the facts speak for themselves.
Myth: Importing countries demand live animals for religious purposes.
Fact: The only religious requirement is that animals are slaughtered Halal and we do that here in Australia. During religious festivals, imported meat from an animal humanely slaughtered on the festival date is just as acceptable to consumers as meat from an animal imported live. There is also growing evidence that cruel handling and slaughter practices are condemned in the Koran.
Myth: If Australia doesn’t supply animals, other countries with worse animal welfare standards will.
Fact: Australia’s live export industry stopped exporting animals to Egypt during 2007 as a result of the public outcry about the cruel treatment documented by animal welfare investigators. Despite this creating a shortage of animals available for purchase during the Festival of Sacrifice (Eid-al-Adha), these animals were not replaced by animals from other countries. Instead, Egypt increased its imports of chilled meat, resulting in a significant reduction of animal suffering in the country.
Myth: By supplying animals to the Middle East, Australia has more leverage for improving standards in importing countries.
Fact: While some improvements have been made, video footage continues to show extremely inhumane transport conditions, handling and slaughter techniques. No amount of regulation or intervention will change the fact that Australian animals are not protected by Australian law in other countries.
Myth: Ending live exports will cost Australian jobs.
Fact: Global meat exports are at least seven times more valuable than live exports. An increase in meat exports would contribute to the economy by creating more business for Australia’s abattoirs and meat processors. It is important to remember that thousands of Australian jobs were lost when live exports began in the 1970's.
Myth: Ending live exports will hurt the economy.
Fact: Live exports are worth between $700 - $800 million a year. There is no reason why we can't receive a similar return with an increased meat trade. Meat exports already contribute $6 billion a year to the Australian economy.
Myth: We need to supply live animals as refrigeration is limited.
Fact: ABARE's report on the value of the live export industry stated that refrigeration can be an issue in South East Asia but it is not generally a problem in the Middle East.
Myth: Australia has the world’s best livestock export standards.
Fact: Under current arrangements these standards are effectively unenforceable. We also have no control over what happens to Australian animals once they arrive in another country.
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