Re. "Animal welfare sans politics" 9-10/11.
Dear Editor,
The live export industry has demonstrated repeatedly over decades that they cannot be trusted to regulate themselves.
Live exporters take a minimalist approach and act only when their practices causing horrific animal cruelty are exposed to the Australian community.
Around 60 million Australian animals have been exported since 2000 and almost all of them have been slaughtered while fully conscious with blunt knives in rudimentary facilities or on the street during festivals.
The Export Supply Chain Assurance System was introduced by the Government in 2011 because self-regulation did not work.
The live export industry had shown itself incapable of meeting community expectations and because they failed to protect the welfare of animals and interests of Australian cattle and sheep farmers.
Raising and slaughtering animals to Australian standards is the best welfare outcome and the only way to secure a long term future for producers. Transitioning to a meat only trade protects our animals and creates and maintains a prosperous farming sector and jobs for Australians.
- Lynne Bradshaw, RSPCA Australia President.
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