Littleproud blasts Shorten’s call for live sheep export ban

Bill Shorten’s ‘kneejerk’ call for a live sheep export ban would hurt farmers who had done nothing wrong.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud in Brisbane. Picture: AAP

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has savaged Bill Shorten and rejected Labor’s call for a suspension on live sheep exports, declaring he would not implement a “kneejerk ban” that would punish farmers who did nothing wrong.

Mr Littleproud said the Opposition Leader was merely seeking political capital by calling for a suspension of the industry while a review is under way, vowing its findings would be released in just three weeks.

He accused Mr Shorten of walking away from the bipartisan approach to the issue since 60 Minutes aired footage this month of sheep kept in appalling conditions on the journey to the Middle East and the death of 2400 animals on the Awassi Express livestock carrier last August.

“A review has already begun into the sheep trade during the Middle Eastern summer which is likely to take three weeks,” Mr Littleproud said. “I will not make a kneejerk reaction with the science three weeks away. A knee jerk ban would punish farmers who have done nothing wrong.”

Mr Shorten called for a suspension of the trade after two government MPs and three Labor MPs — including deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek — publicly called for the live sheep export trade to be phased out.

“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,” he said. “We’ve been patient with the government, but my patience is running very thin.

“The industry has had plenty of chances to clean up its act, and it’s failed. The government has had plenty of chances to properly regulate, and it’s failed.”

Opposition agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon said Labor did not want to wait 18 months for a review of the live trade export, which will be chaired by former Liberal senator Chris Back. However, The Australian understands a shorter four week McCarthy review will be the basis for the government’s plans on sheep trade to the Middle East.

Mr Fitzgibbon said he expected the review to recommend ceasing live sheep exports to the Middle East in the summer months.

“I find it very hard to see how the export of sheep on those long voyages in the hottest of months can continue,” he said.

Mr Fitzgibbon said the agriculture sector should work towards a lower reliance on live exports.

“Across the board, Labor believes the real future in agriculture is adding value here and creating Australian jobs because the future in agriculture is chasing premium markets and those premium markets will be those looking for our fresh, chilled and frozen products,” he said.

Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack warned that animals would be worse off if Australia banned live exports because the market would be filled by nations with less responsible animal welfare practices.

The Nationals leader warned that shutting down the trade would disrupt domestic markets and cost jobs, citing the Gillard government’s “kneejerk” decision to ban the live export of cattle to Indonesia in 2011.

“Only Australia has an export supply chain assurance system so that animal welfare from paddock to plate is looked at, is observed, is monitored,” he said.