Australia toughens welfare standards for live animal exports after death of 2,400 sheep | Reuters
▻https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-liveexports/australia-toughens-welfare-standards-for-live-animal-exports-after-death-of
The Awassi Express docked at the port of Fremantle, Australia, on Monday [April 9, 2018]. Its owner, Emanuel Exports, has been criticized before for its treatment of animals.
Credit: Tony McDonough/Australian Associated Press, via Reuters
Australia will require ships carrying live cattle and sheep exports to have an independent observer to ensure welfare standards, after 2,400 sheep died from heat stress, sparking calls for a ban on the A$1.3 billion industry ($977.47 million).
Australia will also introduce new legislation to penalize any exporter that contravenes new welfare standards. Under the proposal, a director of a company could face 10 years prison or A$2.1 million fine if the welfare standards are not met.
The Australian government, which relies on the support on rural voters, rejected a ban on live exports as it would cause too much damage to the country’s agricultural sector, Agricultural Minister David Littleproud said on Thursday.
Littleproud said the government will instead reduce the number of sheep a vessel can carry during the summer months by 28 percent, with independent observers onboard to ensure welfare standards are adhered to.
The policy comes as Australia attempts to stem public anger after footage emerged showing 2,400 sheep dying from heat stress on a vessel bound for the Middle East last year.
“The footage was disgraceful, but what you don’t need to do is predicate your decisions on emotions and without facts this was one exporter, one incident,” Littleproud told reporters in Sydney.
“By putting independent observers on all boats, it will eradicate this type of behavior going forward.”