Press Release
October 15, 2010
Live Export Funding Announcement an Insult to Rural Workers
Today’s funding announcement, by Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig, to improve animal welfare
for animals caught up in the live export trade across both the Middle East and South-East Asia
has been dismissed by the Australian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU) as ‘absolute
garbage’, and the Australian meat processing industry representatives as ‘spin’ and ‘bluff’.
Paul Crane, general manager of WA based meat processor V&V Walsh said, “I’m shocked and
disappointed that the Government’s response to concerns about the live export trade is to throw
more money and support into meat processing facilities overseas in a market like Saudi Arabia.”
“Where is the support for the domestic meat processing industry –
a struggling industry that’s
historically one of the main employers in rural Australia?” he continued.
Federal President Grant Courtney said, “We absolutely reject any further funding into
the live
export trade. It’s a slap in the face for all the hard working Australians that have lost their jobs.”
“This year alone, 960 rural meat-processing jobs have been lost, largely due to livestock
shortages exacerbated by the live export trade,” he said.
Jessica Borg, Campaign Manager for WSPA said, “Frankly it’s highly unlikely to think that $1.1
million would have any meaningful impact on live export animal welfare when it’s spread across
so many countries and millions of animals.”
“It’s the same response, and the same band-aid solution, that we’ve had for years. As horrific
footage from Middle-Eastern abattoirs in the last twelve months shows,
animals condemned by this trade so far.”
A Galaxy opinion poll results released by WSPA this week revealed an overwhelming 79% of
West Australians believe live sheep exports are cruel, while 86% agree that the Government
should phase out live sheep exports if there’s an alternative that saves Australian jobs.
Jessica Borg said, “Why does the Government continue to support this inherently cruel trade
when there are more humane, and more economically beneficial, alternatives such as locally
processed chilled meat export?”
-ends-
For more information, access to footage and imagery, or to arrange an interview please
contact: Robert Marson, Killer Whale, Tel: 0404 464 902, robert@killerwhale.com.au
NEWS 
