Government calls for producer input into live sheep export ban

The Federal Government has asked for producer input into how best to manage spending to help them exit the live sheep trade, but one WA farming leader says they are “deluded”.

The head of a major Western Australian farm group says the government is “deluded” in thinking farmers will give input into developing assistance programs for the phase out of live sheep exports.

John Hassell, who is the president of the West Australian Farmers Federation, said it was unlikely producers would want to be involved at all.

The federal government has said it will “co-design” an exit program with sheep producers, which includes $45.5 million to help farmers exit the live sheep trade.

But Mr Hassell said the government was “deluded” to think producers would want to take part.

“If the government was serious about a good transition, not that we agree that the industry should go, they would push out the closing of the trade to 12 years,” he said.

“That would allow industries in those towns that are affected to have alternative industries to become established and offer employment”.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said programs “will be identified and prioritised through a co-design process with industry”

“The government has provided $45.5m for programs to be co-designed with industry to help support sheep producers and the associated supply chain prepare for the phase out of live sheep exports by sea,” it said.

“From there, final programs will be agreed by government, with programs expected to open in the 2025–26 financial year.

“Industry involvement in designing these programs will make sure they are suitable and available in the right locations.”

Mr Hassell said even if there was industry involvement in how to spend the $44.5 million, it would make little difference given the allocated funding was too small.

“Already we are seeing producers leaving the sheep industry, and that has a multiplier effect,” he said.

“I know of one shearing contractor who has lost half his sheep run (numbers of sheep) as producers walk away from sheep.’

“He might only have a small team of eight or so shearers but that means there’s not work and people leave those small towns, and that flows through to the schools, the local supermarket, the sporting clubs and even the police stations as the populations shrink.”