Photographer : tuijotellen @Flickr.com
The Australian live export trade is a very contentious issue at present, the central issue here I think, is about eating with a conscience(for everyone involved). Previously this term has been associated with vegetarians and vegans, but what about those of us who love our meat in Australia and overseas, how can we ensure that exporting meat from Australian for others to eat is done in a conscious manner?
Exporting live sheep, cattle and goats for slaughter contains many welfare problems: from problems onboard the ships to problems once they arrive in the importing countries. Animal welfare groups advocate for the adoption of a chilled and frozen-meat only trade to be implemented: this means that animals would be slaughtered humanly under Australian conditions and facilities then exported. In Australia the meaning of 'slaughtered humanly' means that they must be renendered insensible(stunned), then killed before they can regain consciousness.
Other countries do not have such standards, (if you are game) have a look at some of the pictures here: http://www.rspca.org.au/campaign/liveexport_evidence.asp
Australia currently exports sheep and meat and processed beef to every significant market in which they export live sheep and cattle: http://www.rspca.org.au/campaign/liveexport_alt.asp so the argument does not stand that these countries will not accept live animals on religious grounds. In terms of religious programs, the Australian abattoir market currently has approved Halal programs meaning they can export processed meat to these markets: This seems like the viable alternative to exporting live animals: that can take a journey up to 35 days, that can involve many welfare problems for the animals(for eg: heat stress and pneumonia) and many associated costs for Australia(fuel/labour/transport).
The RSPCA reported that in 2002 "the combined export value of Halal beef, veal and sheep meat products to Muslim countries (in Asia and the Middle East) was over $330 million."SO WHERE IS THE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE IN SENDING LIVE ANIMALS: when we can do it more cheaply, more humanly and with that much needed conscience that we should be eating/thinking with.
There have already been several disasters, the worst was the Cormo Express in 2003, which cost the lives of 5500 sheep. This resulted in a government inquiry(the Keniry Report) released in January 2004, although only some of the recommendations were taken up by governments with modifications. The fact is that there remains problems with the export of animals and animal rights groups believe the only solution to the cruelty inherent to live animal export for slaughter is to end trade.
The governments response to this is that there are issues with a lack of refrigeration and cold chain facilities. However the way that I see it: is that this excuse cannot be enough to sacrifice the welfare of animals: governments need to export and people need to eat with a conscience. The government should put the current resources going into live animal trade into technological innovation of refrigeration and cold chain facilities on the importing side. Given the quantity of live animals Australia exports to these countries, Australia has the opportunity to stop live trade, and force those people who are currently not using refrigeration and cold chain facilities to adopt these approaches to stay in the market. I think in doing this, it will be achieved through the Australian government working with others through designated resource help. The future trade benefits and long run economic and political advantages surely outweigh any short run costs.(let alone the benefit to animals).
How do I know this:
http://www.animalsaustralia.org/media/press_releases.php?release=84 : Animals Australia
http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/welfare/export-trade : Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
http://www.rspca.org.au : RSPCA
RSPCA petition:
http://www.rspca.org.au/campaign/fairgo_petition.asp
Animals Australia Petition:
http://www.animalsaustralia.org/take_action/
action_of_the_month.php
