WSPA Has Grave Concerns For Cattle As Live Export Trade Re-Opens

Jul 7, 2011

WSPA has already been inundated with emails and calls from supporters outraged by Minister Ludwig’s announcement last night that the ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia will be lifted.

The announcement comes without any robust details on how animal welfare will be enforced or assured, giving WSPA grave concerns for the animals that will be slaughtered in Indonesia.

Whilst permits will only be granted to live exporters that ‘prove’ the animals can be managed through supply chains that meet international standards, these standards don’t require the use of stunning. Animals will therefore continue to have their throats slit whilst fully conscious.

WSPA Campaign Manager Jessica Borg comments: ‘WSPA is extremely disappointed that the Minister chose not to wait for the outcome of the animal welfare inquiry before resuming the trade. He has chosen, once more, to make the live export industry responsible for caring for our animals, when time and again it has been proven that they cannot be trusted with animal welfare.

‘The Government is switching from one band aid solution to the next, rather than focusing on the long term. With political will, animals could be killed much more humanely within Australia, and a higher value chilled meat product exported internationally; a solution that not only benefits animals but also the local Australian processing industry and our economy.

The Government needs to know this announcement is unacceptable

WSPA is continuing to meet with MPs to call for an end to live exports and supports RSPCA and Animals Australia in their calls. We have also been invited to discuss humane slaughter of cattle in Indonesia by the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association. Keep an eye out for more news on this here in the coming weeks.

We encourage supporters to call their local MPs to express their concerns about this latest announcement. You can find contact details for your local electorate office here: www.aph.gov.au/house/members/mi-alpha.asp

You can also call into your local radio station and write to your local newspaper with your views to help keep this issue in the media.

Want to know more about live animal exports? Click here