Animals stranded AGAIN on broken down live export ship. Demand an end to this cruel trade.
- by: Anne Wilson
- recipient: Australian Prime Minister
The latest in a long line of live export breakdowns leaves 13,000 Australian sheep and cattle in limbo, sweltering in summer heat off the coast of WA.
It's hot. It's unfamiliar. They've been stuck there for more than a week. And it's happened before on this very ship.
These Australian animals, destined for Israel and currently confined to the 'Ocean Outback' off Perth, are sadly enduring a repeat of previous industry failures.
Live export ships carrying Australian animals have broken down five times in the last two years. And every extra day on the water means more animals suffering and dying.
See the disastrous history »
•After the Ocean Drover ran out of feed on a delayed journey to Israel and Jordan in 2014, following mechanical issues, 1,654 sheep and 165 cattle died.
•More than 5,000 Australian cattle were trapped on board the Pearl of Para (now the Ocean Ute) in 2013, drawing out to a month an already gruelling journey to Israel. The same ship broke down again in 2014.
•The Ocean Outback, currently stranded off WA, broke down with 7,000 cattle on board in 2014.
Even if quarantine concerns allow the animals on the Ocean Outback to be unloaded, they'll experience stress and heightened risk of injury during the process. And, tragically, there will also be no respite at their final destination in Israel. They will be slaughtered at an abattoir the Israeli government temporarily shut down last year after an Animals Australia investigation exposed it for extreme cruelty.
Live export is one of the top issues people in the community care about. It’s no wonder. Australians are consistently shocked by the torture and abuse endured by animals in importing countries. But it's Australian export companies that are loading animals onto ships, despite knowing this will inevitably lead to stress and suffering.
Let's remind political representatives that, right now, animals are suffering once again for this abusive trade – and Australia wants it to end.
TAKE ACTION! Demand an end to live export with the Australian Prime Minister.
The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, MP Prime Minister of Australia
12/01/16
Dear Prime Minister
Australia’s live export industry has experienced significant scrutiny by animal welfare groups since 2003. The RSPCA is opposed to live export.
Over 550,000 animals are reported to have died en route during live export journeys between 2000-2012. A 2006 Freedom of Information report revealed sheep died on route due to several factors including heat stress, septicaemia and acute pneumonia.
Dr Lynn Simpson, a former on-board vet for the live export industry, made a submission to the Department of Agriculture in March 2013 condemning animal welfare conditions on live export ships. A group of former live export vets - Veterinarians Against Live Export (VALE) has formed to oppose the trade.
For some years now there have been consistent reports on extreme cruelty metered to Australian animals exported to Asia and the Middle East. Conditions on export ships are such that reports document that animals die on route due to several factors including heat stress, septicaemia, starvation and acute pneumonia.
Furthermore, economic research into the live export trade demonstrated that a sheep processed domestically is worth 20% more to the Australian economy than one exported live.
Over 3,700 people from around the world, over 5 days, signed a petition in protest of this cruel trade, when once again Australian animals were stranded and dying on a broken down live export ship.
The world is watching and wants an end to this abusive, abhorrent trade.
Yours Sincerely
Professor Anne Wilson FACN
20 Penzance Street
Glenelg 5045
South Australia
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