Report Cruelty Donate

Our role

The state and territory member Societies provide services to animals in need through their shelters and inspectorates. In the national office, RSPCA Australia works to influence animal welfare policy, practice and legislation across the country
Go to Our role

Animal welfare science

Caring for animals

Farm animal welfare

Public education

Advocacy

Enforcing the law

Key issues

The RSPCA advocates for the welfare of animals across a number of industries, issues and platforms. Help from our supporters is important to progress change. Working together is key.
Go to Key issues

Farm animals

Sport, entertainment & work animals

better than live export hero banner
Priority issue
On 1 July 2024, the Federal Government…
Live sheep export

News

Here you'll find the latest news relating to the RSPCA's vital work, press releases on national events, education on animal welfare issues, animal welfare science updates and our very own podcast covering a range of current topics.
Go to News

Blog

Media centre

Podcast

take action live sheep export alternate
Media release: Live sheep export unfixable, unnecessary, unacceptable – and now, soon to be unlawful
Read the media release

Support us

Whether you're an individual or a business, there are multiple ways you can support the RSPCA
Go to Support us

For individuals

For businesses

National events

An animal in the RSPCA care being cared for by an RSPCA vet
Donate now to support your local RSPCA and make a difference to animal welfare across Australia
Donate

Learn

The RSPCA aims to make evidence-based research accessible to the community, so that they can have confidence in the choices made when it comes to animal welfare.
Go to Learn

Knowledgebase Offsite

Animal Welfare Seminar

Animal Welfare Science Update

Education resources

Cage free and proud

Choose Wisely

Responsible sourcing

Key information

Domesticated animals

Non-domesticated animals

Aquatic animals

RSPCA Approved Standards

AWS2025 Website Image 2000x2000 v2
RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar 2025
Animal ethics and animal welfare…
Learn more

About

The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
Go to About

Annual reports

Annual statistics

Board & governance

Scholarships

Join our team

Our history

Contact

about us national statistics
Read our National Statistics
Compiled on a national basis by RSPCA…
Annual statistics

Adopt

By choosing adoption, you’ll not only have the chance to make a friend for life, but you’ll be giving an animal a second chance and helping support the RSPCA.
Go to Adopt

Adopting a dog or puppy

Adopting a cat or kitten

Adopting other animals

Responsible pet ownership

adopt a pet logo
Visit the Adopt A Pet website
Make a difference to a pet’s life today.
Search Adoptapet
Contact Us
RSPCA Approved Farming
Report Cruelty Donate
Report Cruelty Donate
Subscribe now! Keep up to date with the latest animal welfare news
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Media centre
  4. China deal will see more Aussie animals…

RSPCA Australia is strongly urging the Government to reconsider its decision to send live cattle to China.

“Today is a dark day for Australian cattle, this decision will see tens of thousands of Aussie animals face export to China to be slaughtered in facilities that don’t meet the same high standards as Australian abattoirs,” Dr Bidda Jones, RSPCA Australia Chief Scientist said.

“China has a shocking track record for its treatment of animals and has been given one of the lowest possible scores on the World Animal Protection’s international Animal Protection Index.

“The Australian meat processing industry is a trade leader in animal welfare so why would we send animals thousands of miles on sea journeys of up to 25 days to be slaughtered in facilities that do not meet these same high standards?” questioned Dr Jones.

“Opening up live exports to China will parasitise the meat processing sector. There are a finite number of cattle in Australia and this deal will result in a reduction in our more valuable and high welfare meat export market.

“The meat trade is worth seven times more per annum than live exports to Australia; this is where the Government should be focusing expansion.

“Arguments used by the Government to justify live exports in other markets don’t stack up in China; there are no cultural or religious reasons to export animals live to China, and as China is already Australia’s biggest customer for agricultural products there’s certainly no food security issues.

“China is already a major importer of Australian meat, we’re urging the Minister to focus on this industry rather than putting the welfare of more Australian animals at risk,” Dr Jones said. 

subscribe box

Stay informed on big issues and how you can help improve animal welfare across Australia.

Subscribe today and we’ll keep you updated on all the latest campaigns, events and news.

We care about your data in our privacy policy.