We have been campaigning for years for better welfare measures for animals used in live export and over the past two years, as part of the Australian Alliance for Animals, we have been asking for the Albanese Government to #LegislateTheDate and commit to their promises to end the cruelty for good.

This weekend, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt made the long-awaited and historic announcement that Live Sheep Export would be ended by 2028.

Rebecca Linigen, National Director of FOUR PAWS Australia said:

“It’s great to see the Australian Government make good on their election promise by announcing a date for the phase out of live sheep export.

The live export industry lost its social licence many years ago. This cruel trade has led to the suffering and death of countless helpless animals over the decades, and it will be a huge relief to the Australian community that it is finally coming to an end.

While this announcement is welcome news, 2028 is still 4 years away so we remain concerned about the welfare impacts this long phase out will have on sheep. Across these 4 years, hundreds of thousands of sheep will continue to face heat stress and long arduous journeys and many will face inhumane slaughter while fully conscious.

It is our hope that Government and industry can work together to proactively transition out of the trade and bring an end to the suffering sooner rather than later.

Given the phase out is being supported with a $107 million adjustment package which offers certainty and support to those impacted, follows a rigorous process conducted by an Independent Panel on the Phase out of Live Sheep Exports, and is overwhelmingly supported by the Australian public, there should be no doubt that ending this trade is the right decision.”