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RSPCA Australia is deeply disappointed that the Government is again choosing to support live exports rather than invest in our own backyard following Austrade’s decision to fund research into building a sheep abattoir in Indonesia.

Around two million Australian sheep are exported live from WA every year, enduring the long sea journey to the Middle East, only to be slaughtered without stunning at the other end.

“If this Indonesian facility was to go ahead it would be creating an entirely new supply chain and unnecessarily placing animals at risk, when what should be happening is local investment, creating Australian jobs and protecting our animals,” said Mrs Lynne Bradshaw, RSPCA Australia President.

With enough spare physical processing capacity in Western Australia to absorb the entire national live sheep export trade, it makes absolutely no sense to spend tax payers’ money on scoping out a foreign facility.

Research has shown that two thousand jobs would be created in the WA processing industry if sheep were to be slaughtered here rather than exported abroad.

“At a time when the Government claims to be concerned about the fading Australian manufacturing industry, why are they looking to invest abroad rather than here?

“Everyone knows that the best welfare outcome for Australian sheep is for them to be slaughtered here under Australian standards.”

“The Federal and State Governments should be doing far more towards seriously developing the domestic processing capabilities and export markets for boxed meat. This will deliver significantly greater benefits to farmers, to our animals and bring jobs and economic benefits to the people of WA.”

Media contact: Elise Meakin, 0419 748 907, [email protected]

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