Live animal exports

On Friday, 3 March 2023, the Federal Government announced the establishment of an independent, expert panel to oversee the phase out of live sheep exports in Australia.

Image credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media

The panel is chaired by senior public servant Philip Glyde and includes former Labor minister, Warren Snowdon, Western Australian agriculture expert Susan Middleton and former RSPCA boss Heather Neil. 

We commend the Government for recognising that the live sheep export trade is no longer acceptable in today's society, and for taking the first step to bring an end to this cruel and inhumane practice.  

We urge the Government to honour its commitment to move to quickly phase out live sheep exports, and to support the development of alternative markets that prioritise animal welfare and sustainability.  

We look forward to working with the independent panel and the government to ensure that the phase out of these cargo ships of cruelty goes ahead.

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Live export cattle Australia.
World animal Protection staff at a farm animal sanctuary

The problem

Live export cattle Australia.

The cruelty and suffering behind live animal exports

Image credit: We Animals Media

  • Millions of our sheep and cattle suffer unnecessarily during live export because of the unbearable conditions on board.
  • The extreme stress, illness and injury the animals endure can go on for journeys of up to 35 days.
  • Thousands of animals die in transit each year. Many of those that survive the journey are handled roughly at their destination, killed while fully conscious and many suffer outright brutality. 

Despite many years of public opposition and calls for change, Australia remains a significant player in the cruel live export industry.

The solution

World animal Protection staff at a farm animal sanctuary

The need to ban live animal exports

  • Moving from live export to the chilled and frozen meat trade will protect millions of animals from needless suffering.
  • Independent research shows that this more humane alternative will protect Australian farmers, the economy and create new jobs.
  • This should be accompanied by further investment in more sustainable and humane plant-based options. By investing in this emerging industry, Australia could help to grow and improve this sector, creating jobs on the way.
  • This alternative is achievable and consistent with the responsibilities of government. 

For more than a decade, supporters like you and animal welfare organisations including World Animal Protection have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the immense suffering of millions of sheep and cattle in the live export trade.  

There is a groundswell of community support for a phase out of live exports. Forever.

A World Animal Protection worker sits beside a calf in its pen.
Australian Sheep by Jo Anne McArthur and We Animals Media

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