Live animal exports needs a solution for the sake of cattle producers and the economy
June 16, 2011
The total ban on live animal exports announced by the Gillard Labor Government has put the economy of northern Australia at extreme risk, but also has local implications.
Federal Member for Murray, Dr. Sharman Stone is trying to ensure the Minister for Agriculture understands that the live cattle trade can and should be urgently reformed to stop all cruelty, not simply abolished.
“There are some 20 abattoirs that meet Australian standards in Indonesia which can quickly be brought up to the higher Australian standards and they have the capacity to kill up to half of Australia’s cattle sent to Indonesia,” Sharman Stone said.
“In addition to these 20 abattoirs there are 5 which are already up to Australian standard. The governments and industry must ensure that all abattoirs are brought up to standard, and quickly. This should take weeks, not months.
“Those abattoirs that do not meet the humane standards should simply never be supplied with Australian cattle.
“The Indonesian government and many of its clerics are themselves concerned at the animal cruelty shown in some Indonesian abattoirs. Halal slaughtering does not condone the cruel practices shown on the ABC program Four Corners. As well, stunning animals ensuring a painless death is not contrary to Halal requirements, it is in fact widely practiced with Halal killing.
“We also have some 10,000 cattle now in Darwin and Port Hedland awaiting transport to feedlots in Indonesia and other places, to be fattened before slaughter.
“These cattle should still be slaughtered in the compliant facilities, and in any others which immediately agree to use stun guns, with modifications to the restraint boxes that appear next to useless in their current form,” Sharman Stone said.
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