Australia's Live Cattle Export Ban
Animals Trade to Egypt to Resume After Exposed Animal Cruelty
The Australian government has announced that the live animal export trade to Egypt will resume, despite concerns about cruelty to animals.
On 9 May, 2008, Associated Press reported that Australia would resume live cattle exports to Egypt after a two-year halt. In 2006, a television documentary showed cattle having their tendons slashed and their eyes poked out by Egyptian cattlemen. The video footage exposed the cruel treatment of animals and produced significant public pressure, forcing the Australian government to react with an immediate halt on live exports.
Australian Government and Livecorp Assure Public of Strict New Conditions for Live Animal Exports
Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke told Fairfax newspapers that resumption of exports would be subject to strict conditions, including the cattle being handled according to international standards and slaughtered only at a new “high-quality” facility. Mr. Burke told the ABC News that a new agreement would prevent further cruelty. The memorandum of understanding to be signed with Egypt would “require the monitoring and recording of movements of Australian dairy cattle through a 'closed system' which only permits the use of the new abattoir at the port of Ain Sokhna,” Mr. Burke said.
Mr. Burke told Fairfax newspapers that live export animals would “be handled and slaughtered in accordance with international standards for animal welfare." Livecorp, the Australian lobby group for the live cattle industry, gave assurances to Fairfax newspapers that stock would be treated well.
Animal Welfare Groups Condemn Government Decision to Resume Live Export Trade
However, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Australia (RSPCA) condemned the government’s decision to allow the resumption of live cattle exports to Egypt, saying it’s purely a commercial move and does little to guarantee animal welfare.
“The Rudd Government should be phasing out the export of live animals for slaughter, not expanding the trade into regions with a proven record of disgraceful animal cruelty,” RSPCA Australia Scientific Officer, Melina Tensen said in a statement on their website.
RSPCA Highlights Continuing Animal Cruelty Concerns
“The sad reality is that cruel handling practices are occurring right now all throughout the Middle East, yet the Rudd Government not only allows the trade to continue but is supporting its expansion.
“While the Government claims the new abattoir in Egypt meets international animal welfare standards, there is absolutely no guarantee that, without continuous close monitoring, animals will be handled and slaughtered humanely,” concluded Ms. Tensen in the statement.
Animal Welfare Organizations Launch Global Campaign to End the Live Export of Animals
In 2008, RSPCA Australia joined a global coalition of animal welfare organizations calling for an end to the live export of animals for slaughter in its Handle with Care campaign. In Australia, the coalition is led by WSPA Australia and comprises RSPCA Australia, Compassion in World Farming and Animals Australia.
RSPCA Australia is calling on the Australian government to stop stalling and put animal welfare ahead of the bottom line.
