Live export: Suffering for profits

Each year Australia exports millions of live sheep, cattle, and goats to overseas markets. These animals endure up to a month at sea, with thousands dying due to the cramped, filthy, and hot conditions on board. The destination for most live export ships, are countries with little or no legislation in place to protect these animals. Investigations by Animals Australia have revealed the shocking mishandling and brutal slaughter practices within these countries, including Indonesia, Jordan, Turkey, Kuwait, Egypt, Israel, Mauritius, Malaysia and more. Despite the introduction of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance Scheme (ESCAS), frequent breaches have been documented, highlighting the inability of the Government to protect the animals outside of Australian jurisdiction. This blog explores the issues with live export, calling for a ban on this inhumane practice.

Loading

After enduring crowded truck journeys of several hundred kilometres through Australia’s extreme climate conditions, the animals are loaded onto the ships. The heads and legs of the animals frequently become trapped on the outside of the truck, due to being filled over capacity. Once loaded, live export vessels can experience mechanical failure or administrative delays, leaving the animals stranded in the port. In 2011, 300 sheep died on board the Al Messilah, which had broken down in Port Adelaide leaving 67,000 sheep stranded. Ships may also become stranded at their destination.

An inhumane journey

The animals are packed together tightly on the ships, with barely enough room to move. They are given so little room that many struggle to turn around or lie down, or even reach their feed and water troughs. The animals are forced to stand and lay in their own waste for up to a month. The unhygienic conditions, combined with fear and stress, make the animals susceptible to diseases, sea-sickness, extreme temperatures, and injuries. Recent footage revealed that many sheep give birth on board. The younger ones, or those that are too sick to defend themselves, are often trampled to death or suffocated.

Reaching their destination

The animals who survive the long and stressful journey, are often met with a horrific fate. Investigations have revealed horrific treatment and brutal slaughter practices in destination countries. Animals are often subjected to inhumane handling, tightly packed into vehicles, and transported in unregulated conditions. Disturbingly, many animals have been buried alive, had their throats cut while fully conscious, or witnessed the slaughter of other animals in their presence. These acts are a clear violation of basic animal welfare principles and demand immediate attention.

The urgent need for change

The introduction of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance Scheme (ESCAS) was an attempt to mitigate animal welfare issues in the live export industry. However, frequent breaches and documented instances of mishandling and slaughter practices highlight the limitations of government regulations in protecting animals outside Australian jurisdiction. It is clear that the only way to prevent the animals from suffering is to ban live export.

The Australian Government has committed to phasing out live sheep exports from Australia by sea – however, they have since stated that it will not happen during the current term of parliament, and have failed to give a timeline for the phase-out. Additionally, it will still allow the live export of sheep by air, and cattle and goats by sea.

It’s time to end all live exports

The live export industry in Australia continues to subject countless animals to immense suffering for the sake of profits. While we are calling for a ban on all live export, we desperately need to improve animal welfare standards in the mean time to reduce as much suffering as possible. It is imperative for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and society as a whole to prioritise animal welfare. By acknowledging the inherent cruelty and taking a stand against live exports, we can promote a more compassionate society for all animals.

Important note: Animal Liberation does not endorse the slaughter of animals for food.

Originally posted: June 2019
Updated: 14 June 2023