[Tradeban] live export news

Sun Nov 11 22:03:56 EST 2007

NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION TO END LIVE ANIMAL EXPORT

For the fourth time since 2003 Animals Australia investigators have 
documented appalling treatment of Australian animals in the Middle 
East.

Animals Australia has provided overwhelming evidence that cruel 
treatment of animals is widespread and routine. Yet on the ABC's 
7.30 Report, Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran 'parroted' 
the live export industry line that these are "isolated incidents". 
Yet he hadn't even viewed the footage!

Desperate defences of this immoral trade are nothing new.

LiveCorp states that "almost all" Australian animals are slaughtered 
humanely in the Middle East. This is outrageously false. Worse - it 
is a claim supported by the Howard Government. The fact is, in the 
Middle East all Australian animals have their throats cut while 
fully conscious - a barbaric and cruel practice unacceptable to 
Australians!

But we have further reason to be outraged...

LiveCorp's willingness to provide millions of Australian animals to 
the Middle East has led local people to believe that Australians 
approve of their treatment of animals.

There is only one way to dispel this belief and prove beyond doubt 
that animals and their welfare matter - ban live animal export.

Rather than inspiring desperately needed change in the Middle East, 
Australia's live export industry is reinforcing long-held beliefs 
that cruel treatment of animals is acceptable.

Australian politicians may not care about the welfare of animals - 
but they do care about your vote!

Tell John Howard and Kevin Rudd that you will not support a party 
that supports live export.

Click here to lodge your `vote' against animal cruelty:
http://www.liveexpo <http://www.liveexport-> rt-
indefensible.com/vote_against_animal_cruelty/takeAction.html

Spread the word and send this to everyone you know:
http://www.liveexpo <http://www.liveexport-> rt-
indefensible.com/vote_against_animal_cruelty/spreadTheWord.html

Donate today to Animals Australia's live export appeal:
http://www.liveexpo <http://www.liveexport-> rt-
indefensible.com/vote_against_animal_cruelty/donate.html

http://www.animalsa <http://www.animalsaustralia.org/> ustralia.org/

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NZ HALTS EXPORT OF LIVE ANIMALS FOR SLAUGHTER

Oct 30 - NEW Zealand has suspended exports of live animals for 
slaughter overseas, amid ethical concerns.

Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton said the suspension followed a 
review that highlighted concerns about the treatment and handling of 
livestock, and slaughter practices in importing countries.

The review also warned New Zealand's reputation as a responsible 
exporter of agricultural products could be affected by the trade.

The suspension only affects live animals being exported for meat. 
Exports of breeding stock will continue.

A spokeswoman for New Zealand's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 
said only one company currently exports live animals for meat from 
New Zealand.

That company sends sheep to Japan to be fattened ahead of eventual 
slaughter. Because the animals are not killed immediately, it's 
uncertain if the shipments will be stopped, the spokeswoman said.

She said New Zealand's controversial live export of sheep to the 
Middle East last occurred in 2002.

The review into the trade in live animals examined sheep, cattle, 
deer and goat exports.

The suspension will remain in place, pending consultation with 
exporters, industry groups and other representatives of the farming 
industry.

http://www.news. <http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22672981->
com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22672981-
5005961,00.html

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LANDLINE - BUSH ELECTION DEBATE
ABC TV
Reporter: Pip Courtney
First Published: 04/11/2007

Transcript excerpt:

PIP COURTNEY: If I can ask you about live exports, does the industry 
have your support?

PETER MCGAURAN: Totally and fully. It operates to world's best 
practice. I think we've got to stop apologising for it. We lead the 
world. We've got the lowest mortality rates, almost to the extent of 
on-farm mortality rates. No other country comes anywhere near our 
transport or post-arrival systems. And it is a billion dollar 
industry, it underpins domestic prices, there are 12,000 people 
directly dependent on it, it is an industry to be proud of, even as 
we strive to improve it to meet Australian community demands and 
work with our partners in the Middle East, especially.

PIP COURTNEY: Senator O'Brien, how would you treat the live export 
trade?

KERRY O'BRIEN: We understand that there are parts of this country 
that totally depend on the live export trade. They have no other 
markets to sell to. We also understand that it's a significant 
player in domestic markets, which has an impact on price. And there 
are some animals that probably don't have another market that they 
can be easily sent to. I also have to recognise that of all of the 
issues on which I receive correspondence from the public, live 
exports is the issue on which I receive an overwhelming weight of 
negative correspondence. I was, while supportive, a critic of the 
transportation system during the MV 'Kormo' catastrophe, and, 
frankly, we saw some recommendations come from an inquiry that the 
Government commissioned, I'm not convinced that all of them have 
been fully commissioned, but now the problem seems to be the 
slaughter arrangements overseas. We need to have a look at that and 
we'll have more to say about that, but it isn't an easy option, and 
the problem that the industry faces, and I have told the industry 
this, is that if it comes to the point where the Australian public 
do not accept that animal welfare concerns are properly being met, 
Governments of any persuasion will be faced with a difficult 
decision and will probably be almost forced to shut it down. So we 
have to deal with...

PETER MCGAURAN: That's a remarkable concession...

KERRY O'BRIEN: Well, I didn't interrupt you again.

PETER MCGAURAN: That's is remarkable.

KERRY O'BRIEN: I didn't interrupt you before. I have to told this to 
the industry. This is not the policy that we espouse, but if these 
problems are not dealt with, if the Australian public is not 
confident that animal welfare concerns are addressed, then the 
pressure on government will be enormous. Now, what I am saying and 
what I've said to the industry is that we understand the dynamics of 
the industry and we want to work with the industry. But if there are 
issues that can be better dealt with, and I think there are, then we 
need to work with the industry to get the settings right. Because, 
ultimately, it doesn't matter what Peter McGauran or I think, the 
pressure from the public will determine a position on this. And 
unless we get it right, it won't be in the interests of farmers and 
I'm about getting outcomes that are in the interests of farmers.

PIP COURTNEY: Mr McGauran?

PETER MCGAURAN: Well, that's just a remarkable bombshell for Senator 
O'Brien to drop. He has just said, his exact words were, "If the 
pressure gets too much, then the industry will have to stop." These 
are organised letter-writing campaigns. He speaks of getting a lot 
of representation from the public. So do I, but they are 
attributable to Animals Australia and other extremist groups. The 
idea that you would cave in to that instead of meet the challenge, 
educate the general public. As I said earlier on, we've got to stop 
apologising for having the best standards and the highest animal 
welfare standards that match the treatment of sheep and cattle on 
farm. So the idea that the Labor Party would cave in to an organised 
extremist campaign and stop the trade is frightening.

KERRY O'BRIEN: Well, I think the fact of the matter is this 
Government had its head in the sand before the MV 'Kormo' problem. 
We forced the government to deal with the problems of 
transportation. They now claim they couldn't before, that we've got 
the standards right. Now the attack on the industry is now about the 
slaughter arrangements overseas, and it's not just the extremist 
organisations as Mr McGauran puts it that have issues about this. 
There are lots of ordinary Australians who see the stories on TV, 
and they may be, it may be that they exaggerate the case. In some 
cases, I suspect that's true.

PIP COURTNEY: But, realistically, what can Australia do about what 
happens overseas?

KERRY O'BRIEN: I think there are a lot of things we can do. We've 
done things so far. We've made some breakthroughs. Most of the 
carriers aren't Australian. Most of the ships that carry our animals 
aren't Australian. We've invested in some markets in relation to 
slaughter arrangements already, and there's no doubt more that can 
be done. The live exporters talk to me about some of the model 
slaughter arrangements they've got in South East Asia, for example. 
There's more that can be done and I think we have to do it.

Full transcript:
http://www.abc. <http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2006/s2079657.htm>
net.au/landline/content/2006/s2079657.htm

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LUCY THE SHEEP MAKES CAMPAIGN COMEBACK
By Jane Bunce, www.news.com.au

Nov 5 - LUCY the sheep has made a comeback to the election trail.

Lucy, an animal welfare protester in a sheep costume, hounded Prime 
Minister John Howard and then-Labor leader Mark Latham during the 
2004 election campaign and her minders have pledged to follow Mr 
Howard and Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd this time.

Mr Howard famously gave her a hug during the previous election 
campaign, but today protective services officers kept the sheep and 
her minder from Mr Howard on his daily morning walk in Sydney.

Police waylaid the pair by asking them for identification and making 
the sheep remove her head, but they were back at the gates of 
Kirribilli House when the Prime Minister finished his walk.

Animal welfare group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals 
(PETA) is using Lucy to protest the live export trade.

"Lucy the sheep ... will dog Howard and Leader of the Opposition 
Kevin Rudd at all public speaking engagements in cities and towns 
across the country," PETA spokeswoman Jodi Ruckley said.

Ms Ruckley said tens of thousands of animals died each year while 
being transported "on disease-ridden ships" to countries in the 
Middle East and North Africa.

PETA's call for an international boycott of Australian wool in 2004 
won support from leading US retailers and UK chains and now it wants 
the Government to ban live trade.

"The so-called improvements they've made in the live export industry 
still haven't happened," she said.

Yesterday Labor's agriculture spokesman Kerry O'Brien said public 
pressure could force governments to shut down the trade.

Photo: http://www.news.
<http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5735058,00.jpg>
com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5735058,00.jpg
Caption: Baa-election ... A wolf in sheep's clothing? The one in the 
middle / AAP 

http://www.news.
<http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22703908->
com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22703908-
5001028,00.html

JODI, LUCY & JOHNNY
Photo: 
http://www.smh.
<http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/11/05/sheep_wideweb__470x326,0.jp>
com.au/ffximage/2007/11/05/sheep_wideweb__470x326,0.jp
g
Source:
http://www.smh.
<http://www.smh.com.au/news/NATIONAL/Labor-explains-live-animal->
com.au/news/NATIONAL/Labor-explains-live-animal-
export-policy/2007/11/05/1194117942498.html

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ELECTION '07: LABOR THREATENS FUTURE OF LIVE EXPORTS
By Lucy Skuthorp - Australia, www.farmonline.com.au

Nov 5 - Animal welfare activists have gate crashed Prime Minister 
John Howard's morning walk in Sydney, calling for the Government to 
ban live exports.

The protests come following an admission during an ABC debate by 
Labor's primary industries spokesman, Kerry O'Brien, that the live 
export industry would have to be shut down if public concerns could 
not addressed.

This morning activists from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment 
of Animals) were waiting for the PM at the gates of Kirribilli 
House, calling for an end to live exports to improve Australia's 
animal welfare standards.

"The only way you can improve animal welfare standards is to ban 
live export all together," a protester said.

One of the protestors was dressed as a sheep, and asked by police to 
remove his head piece so he could be questioned for identification.

On yesterday's Landline debate between Minister for Agriculture, 
Peter McGauran, and his opposite number, Senator O'Brien, it was 
revealed Labor would move to shut down the live export industry if 
public pressure to stop the trade continued.

"If it comes to the point where the Australian public do not accept 
that animal welfare concerns are properly being met, Governments of 
any persuasion will be faced with a difficult decision and will 
probably be almost forced to shut it down," Sen O'Brien said.

Mr McGauran described the admission as "a bombshell" and accused 
Labor of bowing to pressure from "extreme" animal activists, and 
named Animals Australia.

Animals Australia has this morning announced it will instruct 
solicitors to commence legal proceedings in the Supreme Court of 
Victoria, alleging it has been defamed by Mr McGauran after he 
labelled Animals Australia an extremist organisation whilst 
defending the live export trade during the debate.

Executive director of Animals Australia, Glenys Oogjes, said it 
was "incredible" Mr McGauran would call an organisation represented 
on his own Federal advisory committee extremist "in an attempt to 
score points with the rural community".

Animals Australia has also written to Mr McGauran demanding an 
apology and a retraction of his comments.

SOURCE: Rural Press National News Service, Parliament House Bureau, 
Canberra.

http://www.farmonli
<http://www.farmonline.com.au/news_daily.asp?ag_id=46683>
ne.com.au/news_daily.asp?ag_id=46683

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INDUSTRY BACKLASH AT LABOR'S LIVE EX THREAT

Nov 5 - Australia's sheep and cattle industry bodies have hit out at 
Labor's plan to shut down the live export industry if public 
perceptions do not change, saying it will cost thousands of rural 
jobs.

The Sheepmeat and Cattle Councils of Australia, have both emphasised 
that the livestock export trade is crucial to the sustainability of 
Australia's farmers and rural communities.

Sheepmeat Council president, Chris Groves, says livestock producers 
are looking for a government that will work collaboratively with the 
livestock export industry to build its sustainable future and ensure 
that it retains the highest animal welfare standards in the world.

"Animal welfare is the number one priority of the livestock export 
trade, so the industry is committed to meeting genuine community 
expectations in regard to the care of livestock," Mr Groves said.

"It was pleasing to hear Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran's 
strong and positive support for the livestock export trade into the 
future.

"The Minister quite rightly highlighted that the trade operates to 
world's best practice."

Mr Groves acknowledged that Sen O'Brien had also said there are 
parts of Australia that totally depend on the livestock export trade 
and that he wants to work with the industry to continue to improve.

"However, in respect of Labor's comments that public pressure will 
determine the future of the livestock export trade, it must be 
remembered that some examples of pressure on the industry are 
generated by extremist animal rights groups that not only want to 
shut down the livestock export trade, but all livestock farming," he 
said.

And Cattle Council president, Bill Bray, said that producers do not 
want to see a situation where organised letter writing campaigns by 
extremist groups dictate the future of this trade.

"Extremist groups will never acknowledge the ongoing and significant 
improvements within the livestock export trade and its continual 
investment to deliver the best welfare outcomes amongst any 
exporting nation," Mr Bray said.

"Let's be clear about the value of live exports to Australia - the 
industry contributes $1.8 billion to the Australian economy and 
employs 13,000 people.

"The livestock export trade invests $2 million annually in research 
and development to continually improve animal welfare outcomes.

"Australia, unlike any other country, has animal welfare experts 
based in the Middle East, to provide practical training to stockman 
and veterinarians on how to work with Australian animals, plus 
upgrade infrastructure, such as abattoirs, ports and feedlots.

"If we are not in the Middle East the rate of progress and 
improvement in animal welfare will slow, or worse, stop."
http://www.farmonli
<http://www.farmonline.com.au/news_daily.asp?ag_id=46690>
ne.com.au/news_daily.asp?ag_id=46690

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LABOR EXPLAINS LIVE ANIMAL EXPORT POLICY

Nov 5 - Labor has attempted to allay fears that, if elected, it 
would shut down the livestock export industry.

Farmers warn that wholesale closure would destroy northern cattle 
breeders and damage the sheep industry in Western Australia.

During a debate with his federal government counterpart Peter 
McGauran broadcast at the weekend, Labor's agriculture spokesman 
Kerry O'Brien said public pressure could force governments to shut 
down Australia's lucrative live animal export trade.

On Monday, Senator O'Brien said he had no plans for an extensive 
closure of the industry.

But he said if particular countries did not meet animal welfare 
standards then exports to those destinations could be banned.

PGA WA Meat and Livestock chairman Tim D'Arcy said without live 
exports there would be no cattle industry in northern Australia, and 
a short term existence for sheep farmers in parts of WA.

"He is saying the ALP will take this action on public demand," Mr 
D'Arcy said.

"We would hope, however, that the ALP will continue to work with 
producers and the livestock export industry to achieve the major, 
ongoing improvement in standards being achieved, not only at every 
level of the process in Australia and aboard ship, but also in the 
countries that buy our livestock," he said.

Cattle Council President Bill Bray said producers did not want 
organised letter writing campaigns by extremist groups to dictate 
the future of the livestock trade.

"Extremist groups will never acknowledge the ongoing and significant 
improvements within the livestock export trade and its continual 
investment to deliver the best welfare outcomes amongst any 
exporting nation," he said.

The livestock export trade contributed $1.8 billion to the 
Australian economy and invested $2 million annually in animal 
welfare research, Mr Bray said.

Sheepmeat Council president Chris Groves said livestock producers 
wanted a government to work collaboratively with the industry to 
ensure it retained the highest animal welfare standards in the world.

Senator O'Brien said Labor wanted to work with the livestock export 
industry.

"We certainly have no plans at all to engage in any wholesale close 
down," he told AAP.

"But if we couldn't resolve the issue at a particular destination, 
then we reserve the right to say well we wouldn't allow our 
shipments to go to that destination."

Senator O'Brien said Mr McGauran did not care about animal cruelty 
issues.

"It appears that he believes the animal cruelty issues in 
destination countries are not an issue and he is prepared to gloss 
over it - we're not," he said.

During the debate, Mr McGauran said his Labor counterpart had 
dropped a bombshell.

"The idea that the Labor Party would cave in to an organised 
extremist campaign and stop the trade is frightening ... that you 
would cave in to that instead of meet the challenge, educate the 
general public," he told ABC TV.

Last month, the RSPCA demanded the federal government end live sheep 
exports after images were aired on television showing cruelty to 
animals exported for slaughter in the Middle East.

http://www.smh.
<http://www.smh.com.au/news/NATIONAL/Labor-explains-live-animal->
com.au/news/NATIONAL/Labor-explains-live-animal-
export-policy/2007/11/05/1194117942498.html

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THIEL WON'T BACK O'BRIEN LIVE EXPORT BAN COMMENTS

Nov 6 - The federal Labor candidate for the Western Australian seat 
of Kalgoorlie, Sharon Thiel, has distanced herself from a suggestion 
made by the party's agriculture spokesman to ban live animal exports.

Labor's agriculture spokesman, Kerry O'Brien, said the Government 
would probably be forced to shut the trade down if the public 
believed that animal welfare concerns were not being properly met.

Ms Thiel says she acknowledges the issue is contentious among many 
pastoralists in the electorate and has refused to support Senator 
O'Brien's comments.

"Like I said, I am very supportive of the live export industry and I 
would certainly work ... within my power, well I would work and 
stand by them," she said.

Kalgoorlie's Liberal incumbent MP, Barry Haase, says the Coalition 
would ban live exports if sufficient evidence suggested animals were 
being abused.

"If we are aware, as a Liberal Coalition Government, that exporters 
are abusing stock or the end user is abusing that stock, we would 
shut it down also," he said.

http://www.abc. <http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/06/2082952.htm>
net.au/news/stories/2007/11/06/2082952.htm

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ANIMAL PROTECTION GROUP SUES MINISTER

Nov 8 - AN animal protection group is suing federal Agriculture 
Minister Peter McGauran for calling it extremist.

Animals Australia, which advises the Government on live exports, has 
alleged it was defamed by Mr McGauran on the ABC's Landline program 
last Sunday.

The group has lodged a writ in the Victorian Supreme Court and 
demanded a public apology from Mr McGauran, who made the comments 
while defending the live export trade.

Animals Australia spokeswoman Glenys Oogjes said Mr McGauran had 
acted on the group's investigations in the past, including the 
suspension of the live animal trade to Egypt.

"The minister knows the material Animals Australia gathers is 
significant and credible and has acted on it," she said.

"The minister is merely playing to a rural constituency."

Ms Oogjes represents Animals Australia on the minister's national 
advisory body on animal welfare.

A spokesman for Mr McGauran said he would not comment while the 
matter was before the courts.

http://www.news.
<http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22724969->
com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22724969-
5001028,00.html

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HOWARD CAMPAIGN ARREST

Nov 10 - ANIMAL rights protester Lucy the sheep, aka Jodi Ruckley, 
has been arrested and charged with assault and resisting arrest 
after an incident at a John Howard campaign event this morning.

Lucy, otherwise known as animal rights campaigner Jodi Ruckley, has 
been a regular on federal election campaigns since 2004, once 
earning a hug from the Prime Minister.

Today she was arrested by two Australian Federal Police officers as 
she tried to enter a sports centre in Penrith, western Sydney.

They manhandled her outside, using a "compliance technique" which 
left her with a sore arm, a People for the Ethical Treatment of 
Animals (PETA) spokeswoman said.

Her sheep suit shoes fell off and her costume's head was removed as 
she was pushed out the door.

A journalist who tried to ask if she was okay was threatened with 
arrest.

"I went to ask her if she was alright and they said, stand back, 
stand back, this is a police investigation," reporter Frank Walker 
said.

Mr Walker said he was then told he was on an official warning and 
would be arrested if he interfered further.

Ms Ruckley was taken to the Penrith police station and was 
interviewed.

She told NEWS.com.au she had been charged with assault and resisting 
arrest, and will appear in court at a later date.

It was Lucy's second run-in with Mr Howard's security detail today, 
after she was stopped from following the prime minister on his 
morning walk around Kirribilli.

The PETA spokeswoman said Ms Ruckley wanted to talk to Mr Howard 
about stopping the live animal export trade.

Photo: http://www.news.
<http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5744719,00.jpg>
com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5744719,00.jpg
Caption: Arrest .. animals rights campaigner Lucy the sheep was 
taken away by AFP officers during Howard's campaign.

http://www.news.
<http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22734853->
com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22734853-
5001021,00.html

LUCY THE SHEEP ARRESTED AT JOHN HOWARD'S CAMPAIGN EVENT
Photo: http://www.news.
<http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5744791,00.jpg>
com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5744791,00.jpg
Caption: Detained ... Protester Jodi Ruckley, dressed up as 'Lucy 
the Sheep' was arrested after a run-in with the PM's security 
detail / Photo: Dean Lewins
Full article:
http://www.news.
<http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22734851->
com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22734851-
5001028,00.html

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change
the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

-Margaret Mead

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