LIVE EXPORT BAN CONSULTATION PROCESS

The Federal Government has launched a consultation process to phase out live sheep exports by sea.

In making the announcement, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, named a panel to oversee the consultation process including:

• Phillip Glyde – Former Murray-Darling Basin Authority CEO (Chair).

• Heather Neil – Former RSPCA CEO.

• Sue Middleton – WA rural advocate.

• The Hon Warren Snowdon – former

Labor Federal Minister.

LRTAWA and ALRTA participated in an online meeting with Minister Watt prior to the announcement, who assured participants that the ban will not take effect during the current term of Parliament and that sheep exports by air and live cattle exports are not included.

The terms of reference for the consultation process include:

• how the government should phase out live sheep exports by sea

• the timeframe to implement the phase out

• how the phase out will impact exporters, farmers and other businesses across the supply chain

• support and adjustment options for those impacted by the phase out

• opportunities, including options to expand domestic processing and increase sheep meat exports.

The consultation paper can be at https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/ Live-Sheep-Phase-Out. Comments are due 31 May 2023.