Ashley Fruno, associate director of campaigns, PETA Australia.
The announcement by Elders of an immediate shutdown of their long-haul live export business is one more nail in the coffin of an industry that has always been rotten to the core. Other live export companies have watched their share prices plummeting, and an increasing number of politicians have defied the indifference of the major parties to speak out against the horrendous cruelty involved.
This year, millions of Australian sheep and cattle will endure transport through scorching heat, crammed onto multi-deck ships, thanks to a live-export market which many Australians, including legislators and other government officials, oppose. After this excruciating journey, many of the animals will have their throats slit in filthy markets while they are still conscious. These abuses would be illegal in Australia.
There is simply no humane way to transport tens of thousands of animals through the searing heat on cramped, filthy ships during journeys that last for days or even weeks.
A respected live export vet, who was kicked out of her government job at the instigation of the industry for reporting on the appalling conditions on the ships, has predicted that live export from countries like Australia will end in the near future. The live export statistics support this conclusion: exports of live cattle were down 14 per cent, and sheep 15 per cent in the last 12 months.
This vile industry is dying, and we should insist the government does the kindest thing and put it out of its misery immediately.
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