Concern and uncertainty: big turnout for Lake Grace live sheep export phase-out forum

It was standing-room only at the Lake Grace Sports Pavilion on June 21 as about 150 farmers and stakeholders from across the Wheatbelt and Great Southern attended the fourth stop of the second live sheep export phase-out panel’s regional tour. The forums held in Geraldton, Merredin, Kondinin, Lake Grace, Darkan and Perth followed on from the regional roadshow held in April and the close of the live-ex public consultation period on May 31. “We received around 4000 submissions from a range of people and we are in the process of putting those submissions on our website,” panel chair Phillip Glyde said. “We take a neutral view on where the submissions come from, we have to look at the facts and provide advice based on analysis of information. “What we’re trying to do is to understand what the impact of the ban will be so that the people making the decisions will have no doubt what the consequences are.” Concern and frustration regarding animal welfare was raised by farmers unable to move sheep as processors struggle to meet demand and thousands of sheep are held in limbo on farms requiring maintenance amid a sudden market drop. My Glyde said that the panel were aware that the number of sheep on hand was a problem and that it had been drawn to the attention of Agriculture Minister Murray Watt. Beyond present welfare worry, farmers also voiced concern for animals in a future market in which Australian industry standards were absent. “If these good people over east are happy to see our industry shut down countries with lower standards will fill the void,” one man said. He then added that farmers are “happy to keep bending over to show we have the best animal welfare.” Lake Grace farmer Noel Bairstow addressed the panel and shared his consternation that the ban was based on politics. “I love animals and I love what I do,” he said. “We’re in bloody big trouble, this is a bad decision, it has a political agenda and I’m really sick of this.” Shearing and trucking contractor Darren Spencer said that the effects of the ban would extend throughout the sheep industry affecting shearers, wool buyers and sheep producers. “Many shearers live hand to mouth,” he said. “We can’t put our staff in the freezer and thaw them out when we need them. “The Labor party was formed at a shearers strike, they need to remember their roots.” Speaking from Perth WA deputy leader of the Opposition Peter Rundle shared concerns raised at the forum about the effects a ban would have on the industry. “As soon as Murray Watt made the live export ban announcement straight away the price of sheep dropped by about $30,” he said. “Some people sold their whole flocks, if people start bailing out of the industry then saleyards, woolbrokers, transport companies, they’ll phase right back.” Mr Rundle said that the economic disruption caused by the ban would also be felt by regional community members. “When the Merino flock drops all of your associated industries are affected, transport, shearing, pellet mills, they’re all affected and that it turn leads to a drop in population,” he said. “That threatens things like the local school, the corner shop, the local footy team.” Claims that Australia’s withdrawal from the global live sheep export market would have a negative effect on animal welfare were also supported by Mr Rundle. “Australia has developed a world-class live sheep export system which extends to the countries that buy the sheep so that at the other end to make sure they’re dealt with properly,” he said. “It’s frustrating because what the ban would do is export the animal welfare issue to other countries that throw sheep on the boat and count them at the other end and hope that they get a few that survive.” Mr Glyde told the forum that the purpose of the panel was to make recommendations to the Government in the event that live sheep export was banned following the next Federal election, resulting in several farmers replying “We don’t want that.” “We know that,’ Mr Glyde said. “We can help you and we will convey back what we’re hearing back to government, that the majority of people we hear from in these forums are opposed.”