Supporters of the live export trade have vowed to target the Albanese government in marginal Labor seats across Australia, after the ban of live sheep exports by sea in 2028 was legislated on Monday.
“Make no mistake, the ‘farmy army’ … are coming to get them,” Ben Sutherland, whose West Australian trucking business relies on sheep transport, said today.
The government ban on live sheep exports by sea will come into force in 2028.Credit: Ryan Stuart
“They’ve disrespected agriculture … we’re not going to stop now, we’ve only just started.
“We tried to change the policy, but that hasn’t worked. If we can’t change the policy, we will change the government.”
The legislation will mean an end to live sheep exports by sea on May 1, 2028, with a $107 million transition package to flow to affected farmers.
“We made a commitment at two elections to phase out the export of live sheep by sea, after years of community concern about the trade,” Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said in a statement.
“Around 70 per cent of West Australians support ending this industry and the parliament has now acted.”
Animals rights groups have welcomed the ban.
Australian Alliance for Animals’ Jed Goodfellow described the phase-out as a pivotal moment in the history of animal welfare.
AAP
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