Bill Shorten blasts live sheep exports and calls for immediate suspension

OPPOSITION Leader Bill Shorten is demanding the immediate suspension of live sheep exports, saying his ­“patience is running very thin” with the trouble-plagued industry.

OPPOSITION Leader Bill Shorten is demanding the immediate suspension of live sheep exports, saying his ­“patience is running very thin” with the trouble-plagued industry.

In a dramatic intervention, Mr Shorten says the live export industry has failed to “clean up its act” after receiving “plenty of chances”, and suggested it is unlikely to be “sustainable” in the future.

Horrific vision emerged this month of a voyage to the Middle East on which 2400 sheep died in sweltering and filthy conditions.

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“I felt sick to the stomach when I saw the vision. Only a monster would think it’s fine for this to continue without any change,” Mr Shorten said.

The government has launched an urgent review into live sheep exports to the northern hemisphere, which the Labor leader said was “unlikely to conclude the northern summer trade is sustainable”.

Bill Shorten says the live export industry has failed to ‘clean up its act’ after receiving ‘plenty of chances’. Picture: Brendan Radke

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“We will honour our commitment to await its findings,” Mr Shorten said.

“Until that happens, northern summer shipments of sheep not already beyond the farm gate should be ­suspended.”

“We are absolutely open to working with the government on bipartisan reforms, but it’s not acceptable to allow deaths and shocking mistreatment to occur just because we are ­waiting for a report to be ­handed down.”

Former Turnbull Government minister Sussan Ley, who used to be a farmer, is planning to introduce a private members’ Bill to phase out live exports to the Middle East completely.

She has been backed by Labor backbencher Josh Wilson and Liberal MP Jason Wood, who the Herald Sun revealed was also calling for the trade to end.

Mr Shorten urged the ­government to immediately adopt Labor’s proposal for an independent Inspector General of Animal Welfare.

“The community wants it, the industry needs it, and animals deserve it,” he said.

Former Turnbull Government minister Sussan Ley is planning to introduce a private members’ Bill to phase out live exports to the Middle East completely. Picture: AAP

Labor also wants the live export review to ensure reduced stocking densities of sheep on ships, better access to water, more crew members to care for animals and improved waste management.

Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack rejected the push for the trade to end, citing the repercussions of the Gillard government’s “kneejerk” decision to shut down the live cattle trade in 2011.

“I don’t believe that we should ban the trade holus-bolus,” he said.

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