Outrage at Albo’s plan to wipe out entire industry

A farmer has absolutely savaged the federal government over its decision to scrap a controversial industry, warning it could leave himself and others “broke”.

A farmer has absolutely savaged the federal government over its decision to scrap the controversial live sheep export trade which he has warned could leave himself and others “broke”.

“It’s destroyed the industry on a whim,” David Slade, a livestock farmer from Mount Barker in Western Australia, told news.com.au. “Everybody’s really livid.”

On Saturday, the Albanese government announced it was funding a $107 million package over four years to help farmers transition out of the sheep export industry after it pledged to end the practice amid animal welfare concerns.

The plan is for the entire industry to be completely phased out by May 1, 2028.

The live sheep export industry was hit by controversy in 2018 when sickening footage revealed thousands of sheep had died aboard livestock vessels due to overcrowding and excessive heat.

But according to industry experts, including Mr Slade, in the wake of scandals from years ago, Australia has tightened its welfare standards and is now world-leading.

“Our welfare standards are absolutely top notch,” Mr Slade lamented. “It wasn’t good before, there’s no doubt about that. We own that. We’ve made sure that that doesn’t happen again.”

He added: “If it was justified, then I’d say okay. But it (the shut-down of the industry) is not justified.”

Sheep are seen being transported by road to the Al Kuwait live export ship in Fremantle harbour. Picture: Richard Wainwright

As part of the federal government’s phase-out plan, farmers, truck drivers, shearers and other workers along the live sheep supply chain are entitled to compensation.

They would share a $64.6 million package to diversify into new areas, with the government encouraging an expansion of the chilled meat sector.

“Quite frankly it’s an insult,” Mr Slade said.

“The money won’t even scratch the surface. It’s a billion dollar industry which they’re playing with.”

He revealed that those in the industry have been nervous for some time about the extreme measure, and his sheep farm has taken a massive hit as a result.

“We run 20,000 sheep. Because of this uncertainty we’ve had to go out of sheep into grain.”

Mr Slade’s farm is now two-thirds grain, as he was struggling to sell his sheep at the usual price because no one wanted them.

If he hadn’t switched to growing grain, “I’d go broke”. He said he made a loss for two years before making the switch.

The news comes at the worst time for those in the industry, rendering it a “perfect storm”.

“It’s the driest summer on record. We got some rain a week ago, that was the first rain in five or six months,” he explained.

Other industry heavyweights have reiterated Mr Slade’s concerns.

The Albanese government made the “bombshell” decision.

Sheep in pins awaiting loading on trucks bound for port, for live export at Peel Feedlot, Mardella, WA. Picture: Philip Gostelow/The Australian

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt announced the live sheep export trade by sea would end after releasing a report that made 28 recommendations about how to wind down the system.

“We are giving certainty to sheep producers and the supply chain by legislating the date, and putting $107 million on the table to enable an orderly and well-planned transition away from the trade,” Senator Watt said in Perth.

But others were not impressed.

National Farmers Federation (NFF) has also slammed the decision, describing the four year timeline to phase out live sheep exports as “radical” and said it had left farmers “shocked”.

It claimed it ignored industry advice that such a rapid timeline would spell “catastrophe” for farming communities, animal welfare and Australia’s global trading partnerships, the NFF added.

NFF CEO Tony Mahar said it was “devastating slap in the face” and described the announcement as a “bombshell.”

“Murray Watt has decided to book us on the express train to disaster, but this isn’t the final chapter in this story. We’ll keep fighting,” NFF CEO Tony Mahar said.

Nationals leader David Littleproud said a future Coalition Government would maintain the live sheep trade if it wins the next federal election.

“Minister Watt didn’t even have the courage to fly to Western Australia and face farmers, instead announcing from a high-rise in Perth, it’s just a big ‘up yours’ to Western Australian farmers,” Mr Littleproud said.

Mr Littleproud claimed the ban will see the needless death of thousands of sheep from around the world, as countries that take up this market from Australia do not meet world leading animal welfare standards.

There’s been another negative impact on the animals — some farmers are saying there’s no demand so they’ll have to get rid of them. 

Warranine park farmer Ellen Walker from Brookton, Western Australia, previously said “This announcement is like having a punch in the guts when you are already down”.

“We are coming off the back of an extremely dry summer with very poor sheep prices. We have had to carry extra stock because if they are slaughter quality, the supply chain is full, and if they are store quality, there is no confidence or feed for feedlotters to want to purchase.”

Ms Walker said she currently has over 200 sheep that she is going to have to destroy because there is nowhere for them to go.

Nationals leader David Littleproud at a rams sale. Picture: Supplied

The RSPCA strongly welcomed the move and said it hailed the beginning of a better future for Australian sheep.

“A swift and orderly phase out of live sheep export, with appropriate measures to safeguard animal welfare in the meantime, is the right decision for Australian sheep and Australian farmers,” said RSPCA Australia CEO Richard Mussell.

“We congratulate the Government for listening to the science and the Australian community and for outlining a clear plan for phasing out this cruel and unfixable industry – including funding a transition package in the upcoming Budget.

“There has been an extensive consultation process involving every part of the live sheep export supply chain. Now, we have a clear way forward.”

Most of the live sheep exported from Australia are sent to the Middle East, with the country calling on the government to rethink the ban.