CALL FOR IMMEDIATE BAN ON LIVE EXPORT

IT IS PAST TIME FOR AUSTRALIA TO STEP UP AND UPHOLD ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS

The horror stories we are hearing and reading about are just the latest in a long history of animal cruelty cases on the live exports industry.

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/animal/welfare/export-trade (Last reviewed:04 Nov 2015)

............"Australia leads the world in animal welfare practices. The Australian Government does not tolerate cruelty towards animals and will not compromise on animal welfare standards. Our ongoing involvement in the livestock export trade provides an opportunity to influence animal welfare conditions in importing countries."  

............"The Government has also introduced legislation that provides stronger regulation of the livestock export industry. This includes a requirement to comply with the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock."............

This legislation was introduced by the Government, the big question is; "WHY, ARE WE STILL HEARING REPORTS THAT SHOW THE OPPOSITE?" There is photographic evidence and video footage to back up this "alleged" cruelty!
Australia is therefore KNOWINGLY supporting animal abuse by allowing live export to continue!

Is the above legislation subject to different interpretations? If so, who interprets? and why have they been allowed to get away with it?

Exporting livestock via sea (or air) to foreign countries for slaughter causes undeniable and significant risks to the animals. These risks are part and parcel of the live trade.  Stress and distress caused by long loading of grazing animals onto ships where they are confined for weeks at a time in enclosed spaces,  unfamiliar feed, extreme changes in climatic conditions, being left to stand in faeces filled stalls, animals injured and deaths during transport are just a few of what these animals endure.  Reports have been made of blinding cattle to quieten them.

​​The horror continues during unloading ......  but, it is the unregulated handling and slaughter practices of these overseas countries that not only fail to monitor and enforce animal welfare laws, but fail to enact such laws.

There is no requirement for animals in foreign jurisdictions to be stunned before slaughter.

Chilling video footage was recently shown of a slaughterhouse worker about to bludgeon a terrified bovine who was desperately trying to evade what was obvious even to him ......  but there was to be no escape, it's fate was not "humane". Imagine just for a moment the terror, fear and pain that this (and all the other) poor animals endure before finally being bludgeoned to death with a sledgehammer! This is unacceptable!

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/animal/welfare/export-trade  (Last reviewed: 27 Oct 2015)

It would appear that Australia makes a mockery of our own legislation   ..............  

 "Australia, unlike any other country, has animal welfare experts based in importing countries to provide practical training to stockmen and veterinarians on how to work with, handle and transport Australian animals and to assist in upgrading infrastructure such as abattoirs, ports and feedlots." 

And   .....

"Australia is regarded as the world leader in the regulation and management of the export of livestock, regulated by the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL). The ASEL covers all aspects of preparation of livestock for the voyage, from farm through to onboard management. 

Australia's commitment to the health and welfare of animals exported live is further strengthened by ESCAS, or the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System. ESCAS requires that Australian animals can only be sent into approved supply chains overseas, designed to ensure the welfare of the animal from delivery in a foreign port to slaughter in an approved abattoir." 

http://www.gica.com.au/projects-and-policies/livestock-exports 

Yet, even with these regulations in place, a "blind eye" approach seems to have been taken. The type of pain and fear that these sentient beings experience can never be justified. The steady stream of horror stories as a result of live exports proves that it can never be fixed. That the trade continues sends a message to the rest of the world that Australians accept animal cruelty! Not only is this inhumane, it shows (shamefully) what little regard we have for these animals.

Live export must be banned now!!  NOT at some future date.

http://kb.rspca.org.au/How-is-the-live-export-trade-regulated_107.html

"Sheep export destinations are:

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, territories administered by Palestine, Ukraine, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Brunei, China, Japan, USA, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and the Philippines."

"Feeder cattle export destinations are: 

Qatar, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, territories administered by Palestine, Mauritius, Kuwait, Mexico, China, India, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and the USA."

"Breeding cattle export destinations are:

Israel, Kuwait, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, India, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Brunei, New Caledonia, USA, and Mexico."

** Photo Credit: PIXABAY 

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