‘It’s not good enough’: WA, federal governments at odds over live sheep exports ban plan

The state and federal governments are at loggerheads over the planned phase out of live sheep exports by 2028, with WA Premier Roger Cook branding the move “not good enough” and demanding more industry support.

Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt travelled to Perth on Saturday to confirm the federal government would legislate a ban on live exports by sea by May 1, 2028.

The date aligns with that recommended by an independent panel in 2023, which undertook a six-month inquiry into the trade and considered more than 4000 submissions.

Federal Agriculture Minister Murray announcing the ban in Perth today.Credit: Jesinta Burton.

Watt said the government would support the industry through the transition to the tune of $107 million to execute the election pledge, half of which will be spent helping producers and the supply chain capitalise on untapped opportunities and expanding onshore processing.

He insisted the package was more than sufficient for an industry that had been in free fall for the past two decades.

Live exports by sea have dropped 90 per cent since the turn of the century to 652,000 head and now make up just one per cent of WA’s agricultural exports.

Watt pointed out the industry was worth just $77 million to the national economy, significantly less than the $4.5 billion sheep meat exports were worth, and the plan would deliver farmers certainty.

But the announcement drew the ire of Cook, who demanded his federal counterparts come back to the table with more funding because the offer was simply not good enough.

“I have been clear right from the start: their plan will negatively impact our regional communities in WA. Our position has been consistent,” he said.

“We have maintained all along that the current animal welfare measures, including the northern summer live export ban, are sufficient.

“WA farmers are already doing it tough with the drought conditions and that’s why I am calling on the Commonwealth to do more to help our farming families, especially at a time when they need it most.”

Those sentiments were echoed by WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis, who said the phase out was bound to negatively effect regional communities and the livelihoods of many.

Modelling shows the decision would cost the industry more than $123 million each year, with as many as 400 regional jobs at risk.

Opposition leader Shane Love, however, warned that figure was likely to run into the thousands when considering the entire supply chain, labelling the announcement a “dark day” for Australian sheep producers.

WA Opposition leader Shane Love and agriculture spokesperson Peter Rundle.Credit: Jesinta Burton.

Love was especially scathing in his criticism of Watt’s delivery of the decision, after WA industry stakeholders were advised via an online meeting just hours before the minister fronted the press.

“It’s a gutless act from a minister who kept his secret mission to himself as long as possible before rumours began circulating about his trip to Western Australia,” he said.

“It’s a low act from a person who has consistently refused to engage meaningfully with the agricultural industry here.”

Eungai and Jaloran Merino studs boss James McLagan from WA’s Wheatbelt said the industry was struggling financially in the face of record low rainfall and the rising cost of feed and that the decision would only further compromise the state’s food security.

“[Watt] doesn’t give a stuff about the hardworking families here and those around the kitchen table at night: today has demonstrated that,” he said.

“In the short time he has been in government he has managed to reduce confidence [in the industry] to zero.

“A product that was worth $250 years ago is now worth no more than $5, and that’s become a burden for me and every other sheep producer trying to find money to keep up the standard of care for those animals — but we will do that.”

Nationals leader David Littleproud has already vowed to maintain the live sheep trade if it wins government at the next election.

The announcement has been declared a victory by The Greens and the Australian Alliance for Animals, with spokesperson Dr Jed Goodfellow saying it would come as a relief to many.

“This is an historic decision for animal welfare and for the millions of Australians who have long called for an end to this inherently cruel and unnecessary trade,” Goodfellow said.

“Australians do not support the export of live sheep to the Middle East because they know there is a safer, more humane alternative that adds value to local Australian supply chains.”

More than 43,000 Australians backed legislating a ban on the trade in an e-petition filed in 2023, one of the largest ever filed in parliament.

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