Hundreds of live sheep export phase-out submissions kept secret amid fears of reprisal from animal activists

Hundreds of submissions on the phase-out of the live sheep export trade are being kept secret after farmers requested anonymity amid fears of reprisal from animal activists. Many farmers were even said to be afraid to put in submissions on the Albanese Government’s policy to end the trade at all — in case their personal information was leaked. An investigation by The West Australian has revealed the Agriculture Department is holding back more than 6000 pages of feedback on the potential phasing-out of the industry. Individuals and organisations were given the option to give the Government permission to publish their submissions online or keep them confidential. More than 800 written submissions were made to the Government last year with 617 of those being made public. About 80 per cent of those were in favour of ending the trade. But WA Farmers Federation CEO Trevor Whittington said the figures were likely distorted and that the remaining 20 per cent were likely farmers against the Government’s policy. “Many farmers were reluctant to put their name to a submission or even submit one because of concern they would be targeted on social media by animal activists,” Mr Whittington told The West. “Some of the activists were so aggressive and vocal. People thought if they put anything into Government, there could be leaks with hackers hacking into databases. They thought if you put your hand up, you get targeted.” Mr Whittington said farmers have been concerned they would end up on Farm Transparency Project — an animal activism website — that identified the location of farms the group disapproved of. One farm in WA was broken into about two years ago and a calf was stolen. The WA Farmers Federation CEO also said it was not surprising the majority of the submissions were unsupportive of the live sheep export industry, saying the bulk of them came from animal activists. “Animal activists across Australia far outnumber the number of farmers and others involved in the trade, which is now based solely in WA,” he said. “There has been a concerted effort by some quite radical groups, skilled in capturing the attention of the Government, which is swamping the voice of a very conservative part of the community.” WAFarmers vice president Steve McGuire also told The West that workers were “concerned about repercussions from animal activists”. Among the submissions in favour of phasing out the industry, one read: “The world is becoming more compassionate and aware of animal welfare, and Australia will be an international embarrassment if we allow this archaic trade to continue.” But another read: “If (the trade phase-out) goes ahead, it will result in even more deaths by suicide. “Unless the Government wants blood on their hands, they would do well to reconsider this ill-advised position, listen to those who work in the industry, speak to the clients who purchase our sheep and not be influenced heavily by green voters and animal activist organisations,” it stated. WA’s farmers are responsible for 80 per cent of the national live sheep export trade. The Cook Government crunched the numbers last year and found the phase-out would cost the State’s agricultural industry up to $123 million a year and put nearly 4000 people out of work. Premier Roger Cook has urged Anthony Albanese to reconsider his plan to shut the industry down. However, the Albanese Government is committed to sticking to its promise in the past two Federal elections to end the industry — appointing an independent panel last year to determine how and when that will be done. The panel was given a one-month extension to hand in its report on October 25 after being overwhelmed by the number of submissions. The Coalition has been critical of Labor for taking too long to release the panel’s report. A Department spokesman said it would be released in full “once the Government has had the appropriate time to review and consider it”. “The Government is committed to delivering its election commitment to phase out the export of live sheep by sea,” the spokesman said. “But all along we have maintained that it will be done in an orderly and considered way, to minimise the impacts on industry.”