Minister's inaction fails animals and domestic beef industry
The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) has joined calls from RSPCA Australia and Animals Australia for an urgent halt to the cattle trade to Indonesia.
“The domestic meat industry has been dramatically impacted by the outpouring of community concern on this issue,” said Tom Maguire, AMIC Council Spokesman.
“We are concerned that the local beef industry is losing community support. The only way to get it back is to immediately stop the export of cattle to Indonesia. There needs to be an open and transparent process, involving all stakeholders, to resolve this.
“Australia’s beef trade is worth more than $7 billion. The lack of government action is already impacting on our international reputation and is placing this trade and jobs at risk.”
RSPCA Australia and Animals Australia said an underwhelming meeting with Minister Ludwig this morning made it clear that the Prime Minister now must become involved to stop the cruelty.
“The inadequacy of the Minister’s response is such that Andrew Wilkie has now requested an urgent meeting between RSPCA Australia, Animals Australia and AMIC representatives and the Prime Minister, seeking her immediate intervention,” said Lyn White, Animals Australia Cruelty Investigator.
“We are bitterly disappointed that one week after this brutality was exposed, the government has failed to act with the urgency that the Australian people expect, to address the cruel treatment of Australian cattle exported to Indonesia,” said RSPCA Australia Chief Scientist Dr Bidda Jones.
“There are still over 110 locations where Australian cattle are known to be slaughtered and where the same fate exposed by Four Corners will await them.”
In light of this lack of action, RSPCA Australia and Animals Australia are calling on the Gillard Government to put inspectors on the ground in Indonesia immediately.
“This may at least provide some protection for 70,000 to 100,000 Australian cattle currently in, or on their way to, Indonesia, from the worst abuses that we now know routinely occur,” said Ms White.
Images and video are available for download at www.BanLiveExport.com
Media contacts:
For interviews with Bidda Jones or Lyn White phone Lisa Chalk, RSPCA Australia, 02 6282 8300 / 0419 748 907
Tom Maguire, General Manager-Corporate Affairs & Innovation, Teys Group of Companies is available for comment. Phone 07 3287 2188 / 0488 721 311