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The Federal Government has finally announced an end date for Australia’s live sheep export trade. This is truly a historic political decision that will spare tens of thousands of sheep from suffering.
On 11 May, the Albanese Government stood true to their election promise and announced their phase out plan for the cruel trade, which is set to end on 1 May 2028. We know many of our supporters are extremely passionate about sheep welfare and will join millions of Australians in applauding this decision.
For decades our team has campaigned for an end to live sheep exports, by lobbying the government, submitting to parliamentary inquiries, joining forces with other animal welfare organisations, and amplifying the calls of the majority of Australians.
What’s more is the Government committed to legislating this end date within the current term of parliament, just as we called for. Without this, the phase out deadline would not have been truly locked in, so we are thrilled to be given this certainty. It is rare to see such bold political moves that end widespread suffering.
Australia has sent more than 170 million sheep overseas since the live export trade began 60 years ago, equating to nearly 8,000 sheep a day.
For far too long, this unfixable trade has jeopardized the welfare of a huge number of animals. There is undisputable scientific evidence that shows transporting sheep by sea does not align with even the most basic principles of animal welfare, as they are constantly exposed to unnecessary risks and suffering.
Every year the trade continues, thousands more sheep will suffer. We would have liked to see this trade wrap up sooner, but overall the government have delivered on their election promises, and importantly, they will lock it in during this term of Parliament (before the next Government is elected).
We will continue to call on the Australian Government to end live exports sooner and improve the welfare for any animals exported from our shores. This phase out announcement would not have been possible without supportive people like you speaking out on behalf of sheep. Thank you for being their voice.
Our advocacy efforts were made so much stronger with your voice—thank you for stepping up for sheep when they really needed you.
As part of the announcement, a generous $107 million funding package was allocated to support the industry to transition toward a more secure and sustainable sheep industry. This was a key recommendation of the Independent Panel who advised on the phase out.
We were excited to hear that $2.6 million of this funding will go toward a review of Australia’s Sheep Standards, helping our calls to phase out live lamb cutting (a practice also known as ‘mulesing’).
This painful practice involves slicing skin from lamb’s rears in an attempt to combat blowfly disease – but there are already solutions that mean this doesn’t have to happen.
We urgently need to update the national sheep welfare standards to require a phase out of live lamb cutting by 2030. So this funding is an exciting step in our campaign to reach that goal.
IMAGES: WE ANIMALS MEDIA
