WA Farmers President Tony York says the live export industry welcomes additional regulation that would re-establish the sector's 'reputation.'
So...instead of really looking after farmers and looking innovatively for a win-win (farmers, public and animals), the farmer groups continue to go after a trade that has been described as "a dead man walking". Meanwhile, no doubt prompted by lack of live sheep going to Kuwait over the ME summer....to be onsold to Iran as chilled meat by the Kuwaitis...the obvious has happened. An Iranian businessman is buying up the mothballed WA abattoirs so he can supply WA meat direct to Iran. No doubt he can see the writing on the wall that the WA farmers refuse to see in the barbaric live ex trade that is well past its use-by date.. What a missed opportunity for WA agribusiness....
0 Comments
After disappointing Australians with their frontbench appointments that meant they couldnt cross the floor to ensure a win for a Bill to phase out live exports, Sussan Ley and Sara Henderson appear to have taken up the baton again. In a statement Ley and Henderson promised to “continue to advocate with our Coalition colleagues for a five year phase-out of long haul live sheep exports." "It is abundantly clear that exporters and the regulator have fallen well short of the public’s expectation of humane animal welfare standards and practices,” they said.
But the most insightful of the comments was from the former PM's seat of Wentworth: “The live sheep export industry has had plenty of chances to lift its game and in my view is beyond redemption,” new MP, Kerryn Phelps said. It is VALE's view also.... Well everyone has something to say but two of our favourite articles to emerge were:
Maritime Executive: maritime-executive.com/article/live-export-industry-needs-tough-cop and SMH: https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/forget-barnaby-joyce-s-affair-this-is-why-he-should-not-return-to-the-leadership-20181031-p50d0o.html Wendy Laursen's article in Maritime Executive highlights why no review will ever change this industry...3 substantial critical reviews in 15 years....and absolutely nothing changes. Latika Bourke's in SMH was (as usual) on form and whilst overlooking the fact that the Department of Ag has been woeful for 15 years, wrote a gloriously scathing piece: "The department's carpets must sit a foot-high with all that has been swept under them". This Dept cant change, the industry wont change and as one VALE member observed, why would any government bother spending money to fix the inoperable.....? Well the Moss Review couldnt have been more thorough.....it said pretty much everything we knew....that the regulator and regulation have been shambolic and animal welfare the big loser. The Review recommended appointment of an Independent Inspector General (as did the Productivity Commission before it)...and the Minister David Littleproud says he will see it through.
So...VALE acknowledges the significant dedication and diligence of Mr Moss and his team...and David Littleproud for his unwavering committment thus far. However, its important to note that throughout this process animals have continued to suffer on ships and at end destinations. The Moss Review, as the Keniry Review (2004) did before it emphasises the inherent and significant risks for animal suffering in this trade: "By its nature, live animal exports present a high risk to animal health and welfare" (Moss 2018). It's business as usual for DAWR:
DAWR has always been in bed with the exporters and nothing has changed there. It's time for an INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF ANIMAL WELFARE. RETWA with Graham Daws as director had its licence suspended in 2003....but trading continued as per usual under Emanuels license. Now Emanuels licence suspended...and it is all fine to continue business per usual under RETWA. How astoundingly convenient.
So.....we continue to send Australian sheep on the same old vessels....consistent throughout...the Al Messilah and the double-tiered Al Shuwaikh...and we do it with space allowances that are lower than recommended by ANY veterinary organisation in the country....because what would vets know about livestock compared to our amazingly talented Department of Agriculture.... Oh yeah and when is the Moss Review going to be released to the public? And, just when did the Dept of Ag remove the all the documents released under FOI from its Disclosure Log...yep available now only on request....through this highly transparent Department. So they have disappeared them, just like the old voyage reports.....well VALE havent disappeared our copies....so check the High Mortality Voyages section of our website. Beef Central today reports that Phoenix has had its ability to export to China suspended on the basis of 2 shipments with grain fed Bos taurus cattle having mortalities exceeding 1%. The journeys were in May (from Freo) and July (from Portland....ie Bos taurus from a cold southern mid-winter climate). Oh yeah and they were over 600kg. Contributor to both high mortality voyages (1.45 and 1.5% respectively)....heat stress.
Well....what a surprise!! Every bit of science we have about heat stress thresholds in Bos taurus cattle indicates that they have the potential for heat stress crossing the Equator...fatten them up, ensure they are over 600kg...and then send them from Portland....mid winter....after a voyage from Freo in May has already failed??? The Dept is currently asking for submissions on Heat Stress Risk Assessment in sheep to the Middle East.....perhaps they should do the obvious thing and reassess their totally flawed HSRA for cattle (to any location) also. Just in case anyone though that the public had forgotten about live export, they haven’t. A record number of people turned up yesterday to the Human Chain on Fremantle Bridge to protest live exports. The head count was performed by a quietly spoken, older farmer …..probably used to counting sheep! He was protesting! 1470 people!
VALE was well represented with vets, vet nurses and vet students all present. Spokesperson, Sue Foster was there as she is every year. And whilst Australia ponders its live export future, live export crews have revolted in Fremantle. Apparently, an AMSA surveyor inspected the Maysora in Fremantle on Tuesday and confirmed crew were not paid wages according to employment agreements.
"AMSA detained the vessel following that inspection," an AMSA spokesperson said. "The vessel will not be allowed to leave port until AMSA is satisfied that wages have been paid and the operator demonstrates plans for ongoing payment of all wages." Dr Lynn Simpson has written at length about the poor conditions for the crew. It is well known that when animal welfare is poor, human welfare is usually also poor! According to the ABC, industry figures recognise that the live export market is too fickle....both with respect to welfare and markets. The more far-sighted figures are urging appropriate transition......our politicians must listen to them so that the transition happens and that it happens with the least pain. Having heads in the sand will no longer work.....its over.....at least for the southern trade.
|
Archives
June 2024
Categories |