Live sheep exports in rough water

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Federal Labor has committed to phasing out live sheep export, but has given no time line. In the past Labor has discussed a five-year-long phase out. Photo by Australian Livestock Exporters' Council

Live export — in particular Western Australia’s live sheep export trade — is on standby after the Australian Labor Party’s federal election win.

During the campaign Labor committed to ending live sheep exports and increasing welfare oversight across the trade.

Specifically, the commitments were to:

  • Phase out live sheep exports.
  • Establish an inspector-general for animal welfare with $1 million in annual funding.
  • Renew the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy with $5 million in funding over four years.

These points echo the Red Meat Industry Plan the party introduced right before the 2019 election.

There is no timeline on the phasing out of live sheep exports and a Labor spokesperson said there would be no changes to the live cattle export.

In 2020 a total of 811,511 head of sheep were exported out of Australia — the majority to Kuwait and Qatar.