The Labor Government has introduced historic legislation into federal parliament – legislation that will ban live sheep exports from Australia.  

But this victory for sheep is not secured yet.   

Sheep need your voice again. The government has announced a brief inquiry, with submissions due by midnight Tuesday 11 June 2024.  

You can write your submission in less than 10 minutes. 

 
You do not need any special knowledge skills or expertise to write a submission. It does not need to be long or technical. It can be as simple as a short paragraph that expresses your support for the phase out. 

I support the phase out of live sheep exports and commend the government for introducing this legislation. Live sheep export is a cruel and marginal trade that should have been phased out decades ago.   

• Contrary to industry claims, the trade has not been “fixed.” According to Independent Observer data reports analysed from 2018-2023, exported sheep continue to suffer prolonged heat stress on over 60% of voyages to the Middle East. Once they arrive, they are slaughtered without stunning. This is cruel and unnecessary.   
• Australia already exports chilled and frozen lamb and mutton to the Middle East valued at over eight times that of the live sheep trade ($632 million v $77 million, 2022/23, ABS). This trade adds more value to local supply chains and creates more jobs here in Australia.   
• Nationally, live sheep exports make up less than 0.1% of Australia’s agriculture exports.   
•  Contrary to the industry’s fear campaign, the report of the Independent Panel clearly indicates that the phase out is entirely feasible with manageable adjustments to flock composition. The Panel noted that “the WA sheep industry can be profitable and sustainable during the transition period and beyond the end of live sheep exports by sea.”    
•  Australian export laws should reflect the values of the Australian community. Over 78% of Australians support an end to the export of live sheep to the Middle East.   
•   The industry needs to acknowledge this and move with the times to create a more humane and sustainable future that respects animal welfare and protects Australia’s international reputation.
• The Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea Bill will provide much needed certainty to the industry and the community about the end of this cruel trade. I strongly encourage committee members to support the legislation.
• The industry has been granted the very generous $107 million transition package and a 4-year phase out. A phase out they should have been well prepared for given that the Labor government has committed to phasing out live sheep export since the 2019 federal election.  

There are two ways to lodge your submission – via email or via the parliamentary submission system.  

1. Send your submission via email agriculture.reps@aph.gov.au  
   Write your submission within the body of the email or attach as a word doc or a PDF. 
2. Or, click here to create an account to lodge your submission via the online parliamentary system https://www.aph.gov.au/Help/Register  
   Then click here to make your submission.   
   https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/OnlineSubmission/Submit  

Our voice needs to be louder and stronger than the live export industry. We must make sure the Labor Government does not falter.