Time to ban live exports
September 2023
Countless citizens voted Labor at the last election because it promised to stop this horrendously cruel trade.
Now that Labor is in a position to do so, it has virtually done nothing but talk, with no date set to end the atrocities.
Voters must demand that a date is set while the current Labor government is in power as, if the promise to ban the trade is not kept,
Labor may well not be in power much longer. Keep your promises, Labor.
Christine Pierson
End live trade
May 2023
Submissions are open until May 31 for citizens to add their voice to the terms of reference on the federal Labor government’s consultation on phasing out live sheep exports from Australian shores.
Citizens making submissions represent an urgent call on the government to expedite the phase-out in its current term.
We are at a critical stage of development.
Many have rallied and written and signed petitions over the years since 2011 when ABC 4 Corners’ A Bloody Business was aired.
We know the trade needs to end and time is of the essence for the thousands of animals still caught up in its cruelty.
Brazil has recently announced a ban on the live-animal export trade, New Zealand has ended it.
The small regulatory improvements made to the trade in our country do not go nearly far enough.
Sheep farmers and businesses across the supply chain need government support for better ways to treat sentient, vulnerable animals.
Simone Hunter
End live exports
April 2021
I applaud New Zealand Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor’s announcement to bring to an end their live-dairy cattle export trade.
Mr O’Connor said animal welfare is under increasing scrutiny globally.
NZ’s decision sets a much called for compassionate, and ethical, precedent for Australia to follow. Agriculture Minister David Littleproud’s defence of the industry – due to improved welfare standards for Australian dairy-breeding heifers shipped to Asia – is its contribution to the economy.
He fails to address the long, gruelling, inherently dangerous sea journeys to destinations where terrified animals are subjected to unregulated treatment and slaughter.
Our international reputation is at stake when we do not prioritise the lives of hundreds of millions of suffering creatures over profit.
Simone Hunter
Fury at sheep ship’s sail
June 2020
Animal welfare groups are outraged a live export ship is being allowed to sail from Western Australia to the Middle East during the northern summer ban, after the federal agriculture department granted an exemption.The Al Kuwait has been stranded at Fremantle Port for three weeks due to a coronavirus outbreak among crew.Rural Export and Trading WA was initially denied an exemption to the 3½-month northern summer ban, which began on June 1 and was prompted by thousands of sheep dying from heat stress aboard the Awassi Express in 2017. But on Saturday the department said it had approved a fresh application. WA agriculture minister Alannah MacTiernan said a 25 per cent reduction in stocking density and stopping at only one port should help address animal welfare concerns.But World Animal Protection said the exemption should not have been granted.“This new development is shocking and will see Australian animals suffer,” head of campaigns Ben Pearson said. The RSPCA was also against the decision.Jenny Moxham
Sheep abandoned
June 2020
Regarding the 35,000 sheep on board the Al Kuwait, the government stipulated they could only be unloaded in one port. It was assumed this stipulation was aimed at lessening their suffering, but does it mean many thousands of them will now be packed into trucks and transported long distances in the searing and suffocating heat? Already the daily temperatures in Kuwait are in the mid 40’s. Once the sheep disembark there will be no one to document their anguish and no one to record how many die in the trucks. Shame on the government for abandoning so many gentle Australian animals to this hell on Earth!
Jenny Moxham
Respect animal lives, too
June 2020
I agree that all lives matter but "all" means "all". Since childhood we have been conditioned to believe that only human lives matter and that non-human lives are worthless. At this very moment 56,000 sensitive, intelligent sheep are awaiting slaughter in WA. They will meet a terrifying and violent death at our hands but, had fate not intervened - in the form of COVID-19 - they would now be enduring the stuff of nightmares. On board the Al Kuwait, they would be sailing into mid-40 degree temperatures that would literally melt some of them to death. The stalwart survivors would then meet a gruesome and agonising death as, trussed and tied, their throats were sawn open and they were left to choke on their own blood.These animals don't want to die in a brutal and terrifying manner any more than we do. And nor do they deserve it.
Jenny Moxham
Lambs to the slaughter
June 2020
On Wednesday night, 36,000 gentle Australian lambs sailed off into the sunset to begin a voyage from hell.
Had COVID-19 not intervened and prevented their departure, their deaths would have undoubtedly been horrific.
Trussed and tied, their throats would have been sawn open and they would have died slowly and agonisingly, choking on their own blood. They will still die this way but now they will endure additional suffering because they are sailing into the Middle Eastern summer. Covert footage from past voyages opened our eyes to the suffering animals endure on these floating ovens, which is why a law was recently introduced banning the export of sheep at this time of the year when the temperatures are in the mid 40s. But, in the name of profit, the Federal Government has seen fit to break its own rules and send thousands of gentle animals into this hell. Shame on them!
Jenny Moxham
Live animal export
June 2020
The ban has been lifted allowing animals to be exported into the Middle East with 56,000 poor defenceless sheep, during the furnace of the northern summer.
These sheep will endure an horrendous ordeal and those that are still alive will arrive in the terrible heat after suffering a living hell.
What kind of a cruel and heartless government do we have that this kind of animal torture can be allowed, especially after the law was passed that live exports, during the northern summer months, were banned?
Most Australians and animal groups are appalled.
Diane Cornelius
Sheep sent to Middle East despite Australian laws
June 2020
What sort of a monster would torture 50,000 gentle and inoffensive animals? Sadly, our Federal Government would.
This week our Federal Government rejected Animals Australia’s demand to uphold our laws – put in place specifically to protect animals – and allowed 50,000 Australian sheep to set sail for the Middle East in the height of the scorching Middle Eastern summer.
Footage from previous summer voyages showed animals suffering unimaginably and literally melting to death, which is why the law was introduced. Mahatma Gandhi famously said,” The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Tragically, for the animals, our nation has failed the test miserably.
Jenny Moxham
Notorious live animal export trade
June 2020
Shocking and unethical in the light of failing the poor sheep loaded
onto the Al Kuwait from Fremantle is the Federal Court's decision
approving an exemption to legislation that puts a moratorium on live
export in the stifling northern summer. Our legal system ultimately
puts commercial interests of government, regulator, exporters and trading
partners above farm animals' welfare. Indisputable scientific evidence
that extreme heat remains a real risk in spite of reducing stocking
density and increasing carrier ventilation is well understood.
By implication, the Court ignored the science. It also must have agreed
with the Department of Agriculture barrister saying Animals Australia, a
stakeholder, who lost its appeal, has no right to procedural fairness in
their legal challenge.
Appointing an independent animal welfare expert is the only way forward
which will surely bring an end to the notorious trade once and for all.
Simone Hunter
‘Despicable’ industry
December 2019
Last week 14,000 gentle and inoffensive sheep being exported to the Middle East died a ghastly and terrifying death when the ship on which they were being transported capsized. They weren’t Australian sheep, they were European, but they could just as easily have been Australian. Some would have drowned in a relatively short time while others, those above the waterline, would have died slowly and agonisingly.
But, the sad reality is that even if this ship had not capsized, their deaths would have been the stuff of nightmares.
Whatever the case, it would have been a hideous death that these gentle animals certainly did not deserve. This incident highlights the dangers that exported animals face and demonstrates that even a safe passage to their destination cannot be guaranteed.
This despicable industry clearly needs to end and, hopefully,
Australia will lead the way in doing so. No amount of profit can ever justify inflicting this torture on gentle and inoffensive animals.
Jenny Moxham
Moral obligations
June 2019
The cruelty inherent in the live transport of animals may be legal but is without question highly immoral.
The legality of an action too often does not reflect its morality. Legality is like a coat of paint, a veneer applied by the hand of some human agent.
Morality sits deep in the heart of the wood. A coat of paint can be changed on the whim of the painter but the morality, the essence of the wood, can be changed only by its destruction.
I suggest morality is not a consideration in so many decisions being made by governments today.
I refer not only to the decisions relating to the live export of animals from Australia but also to the cruel detention of asylum seekers on Manus Island and to the indifference to the homeless, unemployed and working poor in our country today.
I further suggest those in government who profess a religious allegiance look to the basis of their religion and be motivated not by power, status or profit but by a concern for what is morally right.
Rosemary Kerr
What about the cattle?
2019
It’s one whole year since Australians were outraged and appalled to learn of the unimaginable suffering being inflicted on Australian exported sheep. One year since that famous outburst from Agriculture Minister Littleproud, “It's bullshit that sheep continue to die at sea!” Littleproud had just learned that 2,400 sheep had died of “heat stress” on the Awassi Express on a voyage to the Middle East. In actual fact, they had melted to death. These gentle, inoffensive animals had died agonisingly in a quagmire of faeces as they gasped hopelessly for air.
But clearly, Littleproud's outburst had nothing to do with animal suffering because the Liberal party still wholeheartedly supports this obscene trade. To their credit, the Australian Labor party have promised to phase out live sheep export - but what about cattle?
They suffer every bit as much as sheep. Remember the video footage of Tommy, quaking in terror as he watched his companions being butchered and dismembered while he waited in line?
No animal deserves this cruel treatment and the forthcoming election is our best opportunity to help put a stop to it.
The Animal Justice Party is totally committed to ending all live export so if you want to see this cruelty end please put AJP first on May 18th.
Jenny Moxham
No place for live export trade
January 2019
What does an industry do when it is running scared, when it knows the chips are down?
It tries to “dig up dirt” on its opponents.
That is exactly what the live export industry has done with regards to Animals Australia.
It’s a well documented fact that since live exports inception in the 1980s, thousands of exported sheep and cattle have died at sea from heat stress and other causes.
But the actual figures are even higher than we have been led to believe.
Even if no deaths at sea occurred ever, there is no getting away from the fact that all exported animals endure terrifying and brutal deaths once they are abandoned in foreign lands with no animal welfare laws.
David Harris “Gleeson gets it wrong over live export trade” is correct in saying that subjecting defenceless animals to this torture is unconscionable.
This industry has no place in a civilised world and the sooner it ends the better.
Jenny Moxham
‘Devastating’ claims
January 2019
It would seem that there are forces afoot to discredit presented evidence of cruelty in the live animal export trade, of how abysmal it is. With politicians’ futures at stake, by promoting this trade and for Agriculture Minister, David Littleproud, to say it would not end, may cause him to regret that decision at the polls.
The article has been devastating. Animals Australia or PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) would never do anything as underhanded, as has been alleged. They work tirelessly to help to stop the abuse of animals and to bring an end to incredible suffering.
Animal atrocities have gone on under the radar for years. The support AA has received from the public has been overwhelming and justified. People who have never spoken out, written emails against animal cruelty, or ever attended Australia wide rallies and marched, have done just that to support the work of this visionary organisation which behaves with conviction and integrity.
To organise a ‘set up’ would never enter their consciousness or serve their compassionate objectives.
Diane Cornelius
Needless suffering inflicted on animals
January 2019
It seems to me that the “demonising” of Animals Australia (These activists don’t deserve donations, Opinion, DM 19/1/19) is an attempt to blacken the name of this worthy and respectable charity in order to make the live export trade seem like a reputable industry – which it most certainly isn’t
I applaud and respect Animals Australia for seeking to end this despicable trade and I am disgusted with those in the industry who happily condemn millions of animals to this suffering for nothing but greed. Jenny MoxhamIT SEEMS to me that the “demonising” of Animals Australia (These activists don’t deserve donations, Opinion, DM 19/1/19) is an attempt to blacken the name of this worthy and respectable charity in order to make the live export trade seem like a reputable industry – which it most certainly isn’t.
The reason Animals Australia, along with the majority of Australians, wants this trade shut down is because it inflicts so much needless suffering on animals.
Since it’s inception, in the 80s, tens of thousands of animals have died at sea in the most hideous ways.
They have burned to death in fires, roasted to death when the air conditioning failed and drowned when ships sank.
They have died from disease, starvation and injuries.
For the duration of the voyage, the animals are compelled to live and sleep in their own excrement.
When the sheep on the Cormo Express were unloaded they were almost drowning in excrement - it was past their bellies.
They had been forced to endure this for 79 days.
Jenny Moxham
Cruelty for cash?
January 2019
The article “Sheeploads of Cruelty Cash” makes the alarming claim that live-export workers could have been cruel to our sheep in order to be paid for video footage of animals suffering on board ships.
If this were the case, this would be the last piece of evidence required to ban live exports forever.
If crew members are so dishonest and morally corrupt that they would harm animals to receive financial payments from Animal Liberation for horror videos then there is no way that our sheep should be entrusted to their care.
What more evidence do we need to ban the atrocities of this horrendous trade?
Christine Pierson
Government integrity
September 2018
I totally agree with P.O'Keeffe, as Scott Morrison stymied Sussan Ley's private member's bill by offering her a junior role, which she accepted. How much better the scenario would have been if she had held her ground, as she had the backing of the majority of Australians. The fact that our massive support was obviously not considered enough speaks volumes about the integrity of this government. Power at all costs and to hell with voters wishes. Sadly our new Prime Minister is a climate change denier and supporter of the unsustainable animal agriculture.
Diane Cornelius
Nothing less than a ban
September 2018
The article ‘Export debate racist’ highlighted Senator David Leonhjelm's lack of compassion, by accusing animal welfare advocates of racism and, of all things, being anti-animal welfare.
In our new Prime Minister Scott Morrison's first address to voters, he claimed he would, “Govern for the people”.
Having passed through the Senate, there is no guarantee the Bill will be voted on in the House of Representatives, where the government controls the selection of bills for debate.
Having witnessed terrible abuse of animals, Senator, animal advocates want nothing less than a ban.
Diane Cornelius
Live export
August 2018
Sixty years ago it would have been inconceivable that our “civilised“nation would have deliberately sought to have our animals exported to third world countries where they would have their throats brutally sawn open while fully conscious.
It would have been inconceivable that our government would have begged exporters to ship our sheep into the scorching summer months, knowing that many would quite literally roast to death in the ships? But it’s happened.
Earlier this month Agriculture Minister Littleproud implored exporters to ship the 45,000 sheep that remain in limbo inWestern Australia, to the Middle East.
Given that the current temperatures in Kuwait are in the mid-40s, what torture they would have been enduring.
And those who survived this hell would arrive in time for another kind of hell – the Festival of Sacrifice.
Each year, at this time, footage emerges of Australian animals being subjected to sickening cruelty.
Gandhi famously said “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”.
Surely it’s time our government reversed its shameful downward spiral and demonstrated – by banning this inhumane trade – that we are still a civilised nation.
Jenny Moxham
‘Lack of compassion'
August 2018
In the article ‘McCormack slams armchair experts on live animal export trade’ Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Nationals does constituents a great disservice when he also labels them “keyboard warriors” as, for most people, emails, phone calls, letters to politicians and newspaper editors and demonstrations are our only means of expressing our repugnance and revulsion of the live animal export trade.
Michael McCormack shows in every sentence his complete lack of compassion for the gentle animals he subjects to this vile trade.
The Nationals’ attitude is completely out of touch with voters, and he should be sweeping all traces of ‘Barnaby Joyce' type thinking from his party.
Politicians would do well to adhere to their mantra “we listen to the people” and take heed of what their constituents are telling them.
The election is just around the corner.
Diane Cornelius
Live trade ramp-up an utter disgrace
August 2018
FOUR months ago a courageous Pakistani trainee navigator risked his life to make Australians aware of the unbearable suffering our sheep were enduring on board live export ships. His footage showed them gasping for air as they literally roasted to death in a quagmire of excrement.
On one voyage, 2,400 sheep perished and when their bodies were gathered up they fell apart like cooked meat.
Unbelievably, Agriculture Minister David Littleproud is now “demanding” that a live export company “step up” and transport the 60,000 sheep, currently in limbo.
It was during this very same month last year that the 2,400 roasted to death so if Littleproud gets his way, these sheep could easily suffer the same torturous fate.
And the survivors might arrive just in time for the annual Festival of Sacrifice, a time of peak animal suffering when Australian animals have been routinely filmed being crushed into car boots in 40 degree heat.
For Minister Littleproud to deliberately seek to put animals through this hellish ordeal is a disgrace.
Jenny Moxham
Shame over Israel live export pledge
August 2018
FEDERAL Agricultural Minister David Littleproud’s mission in Israel of assuring the country that it can rely on the continuation of the live export trade from Australia is an outright betrayal of the tens of thousands of Australians who have protested unceasingly for decades against this terrible trade.
Eighty per cent of Australians, both rural and urban who have been polled, want it stopped.
Shame on Australia for the 29,000 cattle and 69,000 sheep Australia sent to Israel in 2017.
Helen Dowland
List of atrocities
July 2018
BARNABY Joyce has “warned” that if the live sheep trade is banned, the live cattle trade could also be shut down. (‘Joyce voices exportfears’, 20/ 7/18) And so it should be. Like sheep, cattle also think, feel and suffer. Can any of us forget the heartrending footage from Indonesia of Tommy, trembling uncontrollably as he watched the cattle ahead of him having their throats brutally sawn open?
And remember the images of cattle in a Vietnamese slaughterhouse being smashed on the head with sledgehammers? And remember the sickening footage from Gaza of a bull, tied to a post then being repeatedly stabbed in the neck? And let us not forget Egypt where Australian cattle were being slashed in the tendons
and eyes. The list of atrocities to exported cattle goes on – but imagine how much goes on unbeknownst to us? We only know this much because of Animal Australia’s investigators.
Were it not for them, we would have been totally in the dark about the suffering exported cattle endure.
Jenny Moxham
Donkey move
July 2018
Two senators have moved to prevent a horse and donkey overseas live export trade by introducing the Export Control Amendment (Equine Live Export for Slaughter Prohibition) Bill 2001
In China, where there are no animal welfare standards, there is a demand for donkey skins that are boiled down for glue and marketed as pills, bars and tonics.
There are no Australian jobs in this cruel trade. Donkeys were brought here to be used as pack animals. No longer required, yet allowed to multiply (although numbers are unknown, as with kangaroos), they are now labelled pests and doomed for destruction.
The inconceivable suffering they will endure beggars belief.
Diane Cornelius
Win for animals
July 2018
The two biggest live exporters have stopped their shipments for the time being.
What a wonderful win for the sheep which were to be sent to the Middle East during the Northern Summer.
Politicians take note, it’s time to listen to your constituents, protect our animals and legislate for a phase out of live sheep exports - the sooner the better.
Christine Pierson
We will prevail
June 2018
Live animal exports has lost its newsworthy status but for the people who campaigned for its demise, it is not over.
Sixty years of relentless horror for millions of sheep and cattle continuing.
It is incomprehensible that our government can condone and perpetuate such brutal conditions putting animals in extremis.
Their ongoing suffering is our ongoing grief.
The Minister of Agriculture and his department are a disgrace to the nation.
When thousands of people have persevered in using all available channels in our representative democracy
to vent their furore, to articulate rational arguments why the trade must end and have expressed heartfelt pleas for mercy for livestock, to be met with pathetic government inaction is deplorable.
The morally bankrupt trade cannot be defended on any grounds acceptable to the community.
I place my hopes in MP Sussan Ley's bill currently in the House of Representatives as a start .
We will prevail.
Simone Hunter
Export sheep knocking on hell’s door
June 2018
We are told the sheep that were to be shipped from WA to the Middle East are in “limbo”.
Limbo, in Catholic theology is a place on the edge of hell.
How appropriate this word is, because if Emmanual Exports gets its way, and is able to use another exporters license to send them on the Al Shuwaikh, they will be in hell within weeks.
Jenny Moxham
No reason to inflict such pain
MOHAMED IDRIS President Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Friends of the Earth Malaysia))
June 2018
Thank you Mohamed Idris for drawing attention to the suffering endured by farmed animals during transportation.(Long journey's full of pain, 14/6) The unfortunate animals condemned to live export are not only forced to endure the stress and discomfort of these long journeys, they are then subjected to an even more terrifying scenario; A rolling ship, unrecognizable food, and a rapidly rising temperature.
According to Dr Lynn Simpson, a former live export vet turned whistle-blower, "As the temperature rises sheep pant and drink copious amounts of water, which returns to the deck in the form of slurried sewerage. Ammonia and carbon dioxide levels increase, making it harder to breathe. Sheep begin to collapse. At that point it doesn’t matter how much water you put in troughs, they can’t drink it because they’re so busy starving for oxygen that if they tried to have a drink, they actually start to choke on it." Dr Simpson revealed that when she cut the throat of a heat stressed sheep she was scalded by his blood. And when she did an autopsy on a dead sheep she found the fat around his heart had become a translucent jell. The sheeps fat had literally melted.
Condemning animals to this torture is indefensible and immoral and we must do all in our power to help end it. But, we should not stop here.
Given that we have absolutely no requirement for any animal products in our diet there is no justification for inflicting any pain whatsoever on our inoffensive and gentle fellow creatures.
Jenny Moxham
Live exports door knockers
June 2018
LAST week I had my first ever political party door knockers, having lived in Willunga for 29 years.
It was Georgina Downer and a sidekick. The Liberal party are really gearing up in the seat of Mayo. I am passionate about ending the inherent cruelty of the live export industry.
Georgina duly trotted out the standard Liberal Party line that new density measures will be put in force with an observer on board, which is nowhere near good enough.
Ships will still travel fullyladen, travelling long distances in oven-like heat, while sheep stand and lie in their own excrement for weeks.
I also put a question on this topic to Malcolm Turnbull at the Alma Hotel in Willunga, where he repeated the same policy. He voiced a better standard for animals as the end of jobs for farmers. However, the industry can be revamped as more sustainable and humane.
As Sussan Ley states, producing food and fibre in the 21st century requires ethics and sustainability. The live sheep trade to the Middle East has neither.
The other main political parties are pledging to phase out the live export industry. It will be an interesting couple of months, as the political pledging will only increase in the seat of Mayo.
I am hoping and praying for a resolution for all of our animals.
Jenny Esots
Live export 'must stop'
June 2018
Agriculture Minister, David Littleproud, is a shade too clever claiming that the actions of other counties will be on our conscience if we stop live exports
But we need take no responsibility for other’s actions, only our own. Others will do what others do. Minister Littleproud also tries to set country against city.
But extensive research shows regional Australians also want to stop live export and many Australian farmers now find it financially unviable to send stock to live export at all. When we stop live export, Australian sheep will no longer be sent to suffer so horrendously.
Moving in the right direction now is right for Australia and Australian sheep. Stop live export now. There is nothing new about this push.
It has been a very long campaign not only by animal rights activists, but many Australians.
Helen Dowland
Diet change bad for public health
June 2018
Fay Mathews’ letter in the QT, June 8, “Barnaby’s interview cringe-worthy”, is correct in that “millions of animals have suffered at his hands” and as Asian populations, historically, ate very few animal products and therefore suffered few of our related health issues.
Now, due to all governments’ lack of action to stop the live animal export trade, especially Joyce’s actions when he was Australia’s Minister for Agriculture, promoting the “so-called” health benefits of our western diet of meat, eggs and dairy, so that now the Asian middle class are drowning in these products.
The unfortunate result of this is that they are now suffering our diseases of excess – cardio-vascular disease, stroke, high cholesterol, diabetes, bowel cancer and obesity.
Hardly a win-win situation for the Asian people or the masses of animals involved.
Sadly the new Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud, is also lacking in compassion.
Diane Cornelius
Questions unanswered
June 2018
I consider that I speak for all of us; the countless thousands of compassionate Australians who watched Q&A on May 21 to hear the views of Peter Singer regarding the horrendous live export trade.
It was clear Professor Singer had been invited to speak about live animal export, not only from his final comments, but the prepublicity given to this program.
The whole episode was poorly controlled, with some speakers virtually running the commentary while Mr Singer politely waited for his turn, which never came.
I am new to this show but if this is the way world-renowned guests are treated then I won’t be watching again; perhaps the ABC can win me back by giving Professor Singer a full program of his own.
Christine Pierson
Barnaby's interview cringe worthy
June 2018
I agree wholeheartedly with Jenny Moxhan’s letter, “Barnaby’s support for animal torture.”
As I watched the Joyce interview cringing at the inadequate questions to a man who was trying to show he had a conscience.
As our Minister for Agriculture he led a concerted effort to stress to the Chinese population that they needed our animals to be healthy.
Thereby hugely expanding the animal suffering of the cruel live cattle trade into China.
His marital problems pale into insignificance when we think of the millions of animals who have suffered at his hands.
Diane Cornelius
Animal pain
June2018
MALCOLM Turnbull and Agriculture Minister David Littleproud are equally guilty of the sickening cruelty that exporters will continue to routinely inflict on animals.
The government’s Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (Escas) is a farce, and is not worth the paper that it is written on. Australians are outraged, and will neither forgive or forget this abomination.
Diane Cornelius
Barnaby’s support for animal torture
June 2018
During “that” interview, Barnaby Joyce came across as a caring person who had made some mistakes but one cannot forget his unwavering support for the live export trade despite being aware of the torture animals were enduring.
Back in 2012 a senior live export vet, Lynn Simpson, had revealed that as she cut the throat of one of the many heat stressed sheep, she was scalded by his blood.
With shock, she realised that these animals were literally cooking on the inside.
Her subsequent report included photographs of animals suffocating in crowded pens and drowning in faeces and she detailed how cattle were forced to stand on hard floors for weeks on end, resulting in horrific leg injuries.
During his interview Joyce referred to those who wanted Ms Campion to abort her baby as the “scum of the Earth”.
In my opinion someone who fiercely promotes this abominable and unnecessary trade is far more deserving of this label.
Jenny Moxham
It’s time
June 2016
A phrase Prime Minister Gough Whitlam made famous in 1972 was, “it’s time”.
Well, I’m suggesting that “it’s time” for all of us to take a stand against the merciless and heartless exploitation of our gentle and inoffensive fellow creatures.
“It’s time” to move towards a kinder, more civilised and more compassionate world.
The consumption of animal products is not “set in concrete”.
We can change this cruel tradition and we should. Australia is the third fastest growing vegan market in the world. Why?
Because increasingly people are recognising that killing animals - just because we enjoy the taste of their flesh, eggs and milk - is cruel and unjustifiable.
In recent weeks we have been outraged by the cruelty to our exported sheep but, if you think about, why should any animal be needlessly condemned to a brutal, terrifying and premature death.
As a long time vegan I can assure you that we can live healthily and happily without any animal products whatsoever in our diet
Jenny Moxham
Fine and dandy
June 2018
Even the “experienced veterinarian” on board the Bader 111 couldn’t save the lives of 169 sheep and 15 cattle (“ Big stink over SA cattle covered in faeces.” This shows how gruelling the live export voyages are.
I wonder how many of these pitiful animals roasted to death as they languished in 44C heat during the two days of unloading in Israel?
But, as far as our government is concerned, this is all fine and dandy because this number of deaths is deemed acceptable.
Jenny Moxham
Devastating that such trade can continue
May 2018
I am sure the majority of Australians agree with Helen Dowling’s letter “Time to stop live exports is now.”
As Lyn White, from Animals Australia, said: “The Federal Agriculture Minister has announced the unthinkable: the live sheep export trade will continue into this year’s deadly Middle Eastern summer. This is devastating. In one swift move, he has sentenced thousands of animals to be literally “cooked alive on live export ships”.
The defiance against the government, shown by many compassionate MPs and senators crossing the floor to side with politicians, are telling us they have never received such a powerful public response calling for a ban is heart-warming.
The McCarthy Review into live export was weak and did not address the evidence he was obviously aware of and after him having worked for the exporters for decades of appalling abuse of gentle animals.
Diane Cornelius
Lambs to the slaughter
May 2018
Sheep are one of the gentlest creatures on the planet – hence the term, “as gentle as a lamb”. Bearing this in mind, isn’t it cruel of us to inflict so much suffering on them? It’s bad enough that, for nothing but momentary tastebud pleasure, we force them to endure the agony of mulesing, tail docking, castration and a terrifying and premature death in our slaughterhouses.
But to increase this suffering one-hundred-fold – by shipping them to scorching, foreign lands where they will be beaten and abused, shoved inside oven-like car boots, trussed and tied and have their throats sliced open while they are fully conscious – is beyond cruel. Even if the ships were airconditioned, the final outcome for them would be the same.
As decent, civilised people, we need to reject and condemn this unjustifiable cruelty and demand an end to this abhorrent trade. Millions of our animals are going through hell; thus we need to raise hell on their behalf by bombarding our politicians until this shameful and brutal trade ends.
Jenny Moxham
Call for ban on live animal exports
May 2018
A number of ministers have had the courage to call for a ban on the cruel live export trade. Unfortunately, the Federal Minister for Agriculture has not. Despite saying that any decision would be based on science and not emotion, he has made a decision based against veterinarian recommendations and scientific evidence.
This is far from over. Our sheep should not be condemned to suffer and die in horrendous conditions on these ships. I am heartened by the support of people from all parts of the community on this issue.
Jenny Esots
Time to stop live exports is now
May 2018
Even if it were not the case that sheep are some of the gentlest creatures on the planet (who ever heard of anyone being done to death in any way by a sheep?), it would still not be right.
We have inured ourselves to killing them or letting them be killed for the reason that humans like to eat their flesh.
But in fact we know that it is still not right.
We absolutely must not continue to send them long distances overseas at the impossible time of the year which makes the whole enterprise unacceptably inhuman and inhumane.
We must not give in to vague and unfounded economic bullying tactics from Kuwait or anywhere else. The time to stop the live export is now. The time to stop it is now.
We all do know this is true. We all know that we must not continue doing this and the time to stop it is now.
Helen Dowland
Sheep deaths unacceptable
May 2018
I agree with Diane Cornelius that live export needs to end. But not only because of the needless suffering it inflicts on animals. Australia is being taken for a ride. We are being conned and it’s time Minister Littleproud got a little more sense.
According to MP Sussan Ley, many of the live sheep Australia sends to Kuwait are being processed by them and sent to other Middle Eastern countries at a huge profit – profit Australians could be making if the processing was done here.
In addition to this, two of our politicians claim that Australian sheep are being on-sold to other countries at a massive profit.
When you consider the fact that our sheep could be loaded into the bowels of another ship and sent to an even worse fate, it shows how meaningless our “tough” new rules are that say sheep must be given 39 percent more space.
Jenny Moxham
Australian Government does not tolerate cruelty
May 2018
If we look at the Government's live export webpage we read, "The Australian Government does not tolerate cruelty towards animals and will not compromise on animal welfare standards."
What a joke we now know this statement to be! It's a joke because even after viewing footage of unbearable suffering on board the Awassi Express and even after learning that the thousands of sheep who died literally cooked to death, the government is steadfastly refusing to halt live export - even in the scorching and suffocating Northern summer months.
I've no doubt the government would like this issue to fade away and for us to forget about it - but we must not allow this to happen. We must bombard our politicians and raise hell until this brutal trade ends.
Jenny Moxham
Live trade cruel
May 2018
What has happened to admirable qualities such as ethics, values, empathy and compassion?
Whenever most politicians open their mouths, what I see and hear are hypocrites with double standards. I was not surprised with the decision by (Agriculture Minister) David Littleproud to allow the live export trade to continue.
He stated that it was based on science, not emotion. My response to that is you do not need to be a scientist or professor to recognise immense cruelty and suffering. This latest Band-Aid solution has been tried numerous times, but it is not long before it is “back to business as usual”.
There is always going to be a next time as long as this vile industry is allowed to continue.
Lyn Robbins
Respect sentient beings
May 2018
Katrina Harris and Jack Kershaw lament there has been more outrage over the suffering of exported sheep than the suffering of humans (Letters, May 25). Given that sheep have the same capacity for suffering as humans they are just as deserving of our compassion.
Jenny Moxham
Looking for answers
May 2018
Geoff Cass in his letter “Any suggestions yet?” (Daily, May 22) is looking for answers to the live animal export debate.
At the weekend, the Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud, was in Qatar and Kuwait kowtowing to countries that show no interest in the lives of the animals they are slaughtering in their millions.
The former CEO of the Australian Livestock Exporters Council, Alison Penfold, is now working in the Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud’s office as a policy adviser and has been involved in guiding his response.
Surely a biased conflict of interest? The burgeoning middle class in participating countries will never be satisfied, and the unsustainable animal industry is destroying our country ecologically and morally.
Future generations will view this historically as our darkest hours of animal cruelty.
Politicians’ first duty is to listen to the people who gave them a mandate, and their message is loud and clear.
Ban live animal export.
Diane Cornelius
Stop grovelling, minister
May 2018
How nauseating to learn that, just one day after announcing the live export review recommendations, Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has rushed off to Qatar and Kuwait to assure importers they'll continue to have an uninterrupted supply of our live animals.
Could he not have telephoned or emailed them instead of squandering taxpayers' money by flying? Especially since the majority of taxpayers want live export banned.
Why is our government grovelling to countries that have a record of mistreating our animals? Only a month ago footage emerged of our sheep being beaten and hurled around like rag dolls at a Qatar abattoir. And, less than a year ago, investigators discovered that, in Kuwait, hundreds of our sheep were being illegally sold to private buyers, shoved into oven-like car boots and abused.
Besides this, two of our parliamentarians claim many of our exported sheep are fattened up then sold to other countries. Even if the sea journey was made less gruelling, animals could end up aboard another, even worse, vessel bound for a worse, fate.
Jenny Moxham
Review into the Live Export trade
May 2018
Dear Mr Littleproud,
First, thank you for setting up a formal review into the Live Export trade. I think this is the least that the Australian people expected or demanded.
It was a shame that it was chaired by Dr Michael McCarthy, an individual who has been on the payroll of live exporters for some considerable time and therefore someone who can hardly be considered as “independent”.
Likewise, it was also disheartening that the review chose to ignore the advice of several animal science experts, notably the Australian Veterinary Association. Although in light of my previous sentence this was hardly surprising or unexpected
As you may recall, the Australian Veterinary Association noted that reduced stocking densities will not alter the cruelties or hardships that the sheep will face on these journeys. They will, as 60 Minutes reported, still be effectively cooked alive on these ships as they become exposed to the high temperatures and humidity levels of the Middle East.
The suffering of one animal is no less cruel than the suffering of many.
It is a shame that you put the wishes of the exporters above those of the animals, science and Australian people. Sir Humphrey Appleby would be impressed. Unfortunately, for you, the Australian people are less so. This issue is not going to simply disappear. The Australian people who deserve so much better will not look away. The next Federal Election is looming and I promise you that many voters are waiting to give a voice to those that cannot be heard.
Morgan Michie
War on animals
May2018
This week Australians reflected with sadness on the deaths of the 8,709 Aussie soldiers who were killed in Gallipoli in 1915. Thankfully, that war came to an end - but there is another war that seems to be never ending. At this very moment a ship is headed to Turkey with 82,000
Australian sheep and cattle on board. Unlike the Aussies who fought in Turkey, none will escape alive. Their deaths will be brutal, agonizing and terrifying. These animals have done absolutely nothing to deserve this cruel fate. But neither have any of the animals we routinely slaughter in our own killing factories.
As far back as 500 BC the renowned Greek philosopher Pythagoras famously said,“As long as Man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings, he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other.
Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.”
Isn’t it time we ended our war on animals.
Jenny Moxham
Decent politicians oppose live animal exports
May 2018
Thank goodness we at least have a few decent politicians - like Susan Ley, Sarah Henderson and Jason Wood who put morals ahead of money. (Live export showdown, 15/5)
Given that individuals who leave dogs in hot cars face fines of up to $50,000 and five years in prison, it's shameful that our government endorses live export which, in effect, is the same as putting tens of thousands of sheep in an oven.
Recently released footage from the Awassi Express shows the crew attempting to pick up sheep carcasses, which are just hours old.
They fall apart when touched, the fat rendered in a way that former live export vet Dr Lynn Simpson says showed they had been cooked from the inside.
This animal torture must end.
Michelle Gately
Live trade torment is immoral and indefensible
May 2018
IF A young Pakistani trainee navigator can risk his job, his income and his very life to make us aware of the unimaginable suffering our sheep endure on live export vessels, it’s disgraceful that the only response we are hearing from our government is: “A knee-jerk ban would punish farmers who have done nothing wrong”.
What about the tortured sheep who have “done nothing wrong”?
For years, we have reluctantly accepted the fact that a certain number of exported animals routinely die of heat stress but, until now, we haven’t realised what that actually meant in terms of suffering.
Now we know. We have seen their torment. We know that they are not simply “feeling hot”.
They are literally being roasted to death. This was confirmed by the fact that the fresh corpses fell apart as crew members attempted to pick them up.
Former ship's vet turned whistleblower, Lynn Simpson, revealed that when she did autopsies on heat-stressed sheep, the fat around their heart was a translucent jelly instead of solid white. The sheep, she said, had melted.
Deliberately subjecting animals to this torture is immoral and indefensible.
Jenny Moxham
Has to be a better option
May 2018
How nauseating to learn that, just one day after announcing the live export review recommendations, Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has rushed off to Qatar and Kuwait to assure importers they'll continue to have an uninterrupted supply of our live animals. Could he not have telephoned or emailed them instead of squandering tax payers money by flying? Especially since the majority of tax payers want live export banned. Or was Littleproud compelled to fly because these nations - who we are constantly told require live animals because they lack refrigerators – also lack phones and computers?
Why is our government grovelling to countries that have a record of mistreating our animals? Only a month ago footage emerged of our sheep being beaten and hurled around like rag dolls at a Qatar abattoir. And, less than a year ago investigators discovered that, in Kuwait, hundreds of our sheep were being illegally sold to private buyers, shoved into oven-like car boots and abused. Besides this, two of our cabinet ministers claim many of our exported sheep are fattened up then sold to other countries. So even if the sea journey was made less gruelling, our animals could end up on board another, even worse, vessel bound for another, even worse, fate.
Jenny Moxham
Cruel trade
May 2018
IN allowing the export of live sheep to the Middle East to continue during that region’s summer months (May to October), the Turnbull Government has chosen to ignore the advice of multiple animal science experts, including peak body, the Australian Veterinary Association.
Instead, our federal Government has accepted the findings of a review conducted by a vet who was on the live exporters’ payroll for decades.
In my view, there is nothing independent about the report by Dr Michael McCarthy, nor is there anything independent about the federal Government observers who will now travel with live sheep and cattle shipments.
As the AVA noted, reduced stocking densities will not alter the outcome for these sheep. They will still literally cook alive inside the steel hulls when they reach the high temperatures and humidity of the Persian Gulf.
It is the same as dogs left in a hot car. It does not matter if there is one dog or 10 dogs in the car, they will all suffer and potentially die in those conditions.
But these are sheep, and our federal Government believes it is acceptable to subject sheep to these conditions.
New Zealand banned live exports more than a decade ago because the government and community knew the trade was inherently cruel.
With South Australian animals now on two ships – the Al Shuwaikh and the Bader 3 – as they make the torturous threeto-five week journey to the Middle East, we urge our politicians to hear the voice of the majority of Australians and support the two Private Members Bills that would finally close this shameful chapter in our nation’s history.
(Dr) Rebekah Eyers
RSPCA SA.
More poor suffering Australian sheep
April 2018
The live export ship, Bader 111, is now in Adelaide and apparently it is to be loaded with more poor suffering Australian sheep to be tortured on another horrendous ocean crossing to the Middle East, where there are no animals rights laws.
It is so very important that readers are made aware that this appalling live export trade is still being pushed by our ruthless government.
There is no way that live export can be humane, apart from the atrocities that we have seen inflicted on the animals when they arrive in foreign lands.
No amount of “cleaning up the trade” will save animal torture.
With Australians crying out for jobs and a lucrative carcass trade in the offering why are our politicians not establishing the infrastructure needed for a frozen export trade?
It has already been proved that Australia would make far more money out of frozen meat exports than the live trade. Farmers and workers need this increased income and yet the government is not providing it.
Farmers, meat workers and animals rights activists need to make a united stand to changed to the carcass trade and stop the atrocities being committed with the live export business.
Why should the perpetrators of this cruelty profit while our own residents and workers miss out?
Christine Pierson
President – C.A.T.S. Cats Assistance To Sterilise Inc
Live Export Trade
April 2018
As an animal advocate, I read in the Leader Mr. Peter Schiller's letter with interest. It is heartening to know that there are sheep farmers like him who want to keep sheep off boats.
It would be a positive step towards a kinder world if farmers and animal advocates could sit down together and work out strategies to stop this very cruel trade.
Alice Shore
Senseless cruelty
April 2018
Why were pregnant animals sold?
Herded up ramps etc., dropping their innocent babies to be trampled to death.
The trauma of losing their babies, while scared of what was happening to them. Farmers, if you really care, come together, make a stand.
Stop this senseless cruelty or are the mighty $$$$ worth more to you?
United you an make a difference.
Janet Evans
Tonnes of Manure
April 2018
The facts are, the average cow produces 30 kg of poop per day. 8,000 cattle on board the MV Maysora on a 4 week voyage to Turkey, would produce approx 9,000 tonnes of manure. It's not difficult to imagine why the cattle are in trouble slipping about trying to keep their footing, on the moving vessel, for the entire time.
Circumstances are no better for the 75,000 sheep on board the same hell-hole. Add to that the ammonia fumes, affecting their eyes and lungs, the overcrowding, the thirst due to the inability to reach water, the hunger, as they are unaccustomed to the pellets they are fed on board, and the stifling heat and humidity of summer. They can't lie down without being trampled and if they do they could drown in their own faeces.
No investigations by the Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud, will make a scrap of difference. Exporter company licences should be cancelled, if our country is to regain it's pride and dignity. Voters are looking for a government with moral fortitude to do the right thing.
Diane Cornelius
Let's end 'one-offs'
April 2018
As yet another live export scandal breaks, with footage showing the agonising death of 2400 sheep on a live export ship headed to Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE, industry spokesmen and their government apologists rush out the usual trite phrases about "one-off" events and warning against "knee-jerk" reactions.
Maybe it's time for a knee-jerk reaction. This is the term used by doctors for a test of reflexes that indicate the health or otherwise of the human nervous system. The live export trade is a profound sickness in our society, and ignoring it and hoping yet another incident of hideous cruelty will soon be forgotten just makes the patient, our community, that much sicker.
These thousands of sheep, many already used, abused and unwanted by the wool industry, died from extreme heat, many being unable to reach food and water and suffering behind the bodies of their neighbours, who were left to rot on deck. The argument that this is acceptable because farmers make money from it does not hold water: people make money from cigarettes and illicit drugs too, but we try to stamp out those evils.
Desmond Bellamy, PETA Australia
Memorandums of Understanding
April 2018
Australia's 'Memorandums of Understanding' are supposed to protect animals in the Live Animal Export Trade from abuse, yet time and again it has been proven to be not worth the paper it is written on. No perpetrator has been prosecuted for animal cruelty. As we witnessed the plight of 2,400 sheep who died from heat stress on the Awassi Express en-route to Doha. RSPCA's Dr Bidda Jones, said," ...this is exactly what a routine long-haul voyage looked like." Newborn lambs were trampled because of illegal loading of pregnant sheep, and crammed animals could not get to water. Lying down was not an option due to lack of space, and they risked drowning in their own excrement if they did. This is an Australian disgrace and our Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud, cannot sweep it under the carpet with platitudes. The industry claims it meets Australian standards and repeatedly describes it actions as 'world's best practice.' Now 65,000 sheep are stranded in WA awaiting their fate on the same disgusting vessels.
Diane Cornelius
Live exports crackdown
May 2018
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud fiercely warns exporters,”If you do the wrong thing, you’re going to swing.”(Live exports crackdown, 5/5)
But the reality is that, even if exporters do the “right thing” it won’t stop the suffering because animals will still die from heat stress, starvation, illness, injuries, infections and respiratory disease.
They will still burn to death when ships catch on fire – as 40,605 sheep did on the Farid Fares and 67,000 did on the Uniceb. And they will still drown when ships sink as 1592 cattle did when the Guernsey Express sank.
And of course, “doing the right thing” won’t eliminate the immense fear and trepidation felt by the bewildered animals who have been suddenly whisked from open grassy fields to the cramped, noisy bowels of a rolling live export vessel. And we cannot pretend that the end of the voyage equates to the end of their suffering. It’s only the start of a far more terrifying and gruesome chapter. Clearly, the only one way to end the suffering is to end the trade.
Jenny Moxham
Processors set for live trade
May 2018
I refer to the confusing article in the Sunday Times, May 6th, " Processors set for live trade." WA processors claim they have the capacity to handle all sheep that go in ships to the Middle East, in the months of July and August. That they could slaughter and process 200,000 or even mind-blowingly, 300,000 sheep.
Why are they not doing just that! These countries are importing carcasses already. Surely more flights to deal with the meat could be scheduled. WA farmers have surprisingly reacted furiously to WA's Minister for Agriculture, Alannah MacTierrnan's moral recommendation.
I thought sheep farmers were just as horrified at the ongoing extreme cruelty the animals they raised were forced to endure in the long haul trade, as the voters of Australia are. Frozen meat brings in far more revenue to Australia. No wonder there is so much unnecessary confusion connected to this aberration
Diane Cornelius
Trade wars
March 18th
Former Coalition health minister Sussan Ley is to be congratulated on her strong stand on animal welfare, one which would run counter to the views of many in her party. On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack stated recently that Australia should not be precipitate in abandoning the export trade in live animals.
One of the reasons he advanced was that the trade could be taken over by some countries with lower standards of animal welfare than Australia. Given the horrific pictures of sheep maltreatment widely shown on TV recently, it is hard to imagine how much lower these standards could be.
Eddie LeSueur
Feeble excuses
April 2018
The following words stated by Eddie Le Sueur send a resounding message to all Australians, especially the politicians who promote the live animal export trade.
“Given the horrific pictures of sheep maltreatment widely shown on TV recently, it is hard to imagine how much lower these standards could be”.
There is no end to these atrocities either, as the news from Fremantle regarding the MV Maysora which recently sailed, shows that animals were already dead, fallen and trampled on, without access to food and water and in dire straits even before this hell-ship left Australia.
So, Members of Parliament, take note. The feeble excuses for supporting the horrendous torture and death of our poor suffering sheep are falling on deaf ears.
Full marks to those leaders who are having the courage to stand up and oppose this disgraceful business.
Christine Pierson President – C.A.T.S. Cats Assistance To Sterilise Inc
Do The Right Thing
May 2018
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud fiercely warns exporters, “If you do the wrong thing, you’re going to swing.” (Liveexports crackdown, 5/5)
But the reality is that, even if exporters do the “right thing” it won’t stop the suffering because animals will still die from heat stress, starvation, illness, injuries, infections and respiratory disease.
They will still burn to death when ships catch on fire – as 40,605 sheep did on the Farid Fares and 67,000 did on the Uniceb. And they will still drown when ships sink, as 1592 cattle did when the Guernsey Express sank.
And, of course, “doing the right thing” won’t eliminate the immense fear and trepidation felt by the bewildered animals who have been suddenly whisked from open grassy fields to the cramped, noisy bowels of a rollingliveexportvessel.
And we cannot pretend that the end of the voyages equates to the end of their suffering. It’s only the start of a far more terrifying and gruesome chapter. Clearly, the only one way to end the suffering is to end the trade.
Jenny Moxham
Time to be heard
May 2018
The huge demonstrations against the live animal export can no longer be ignored and the number of compassionate Australians who are voicing their protests are now being supported by some politicians as well.
Congratulations to these MPs for standing up for the poor suffering animals doomed to torture and horrific cruelty.
News from WA has now confirmed that conditions on board the live sheep ship MA Maysora, which recently left Fremantle with thousands of animals for a terrible ocean crossing, were horrendous.
This was before the ship had even left Australia. Cattle, as well, were in dire straits as, after slipping on the filthy, faeces covered floors, they were unable to stand and being trampled. Adelaide is one of the main ports where the live exports are loaded and we have to stop this.
Surely South Australians are appalled by this disgrace to our state! Surely we can’t stand by and let our government commit these atrocities.
Christine Pierson
President, C.A.T.S. Cats Assistance To Sterilise Inc
Thank you to protesters
April 2018
Yesterday it was a very great horror to me that animals were once again loaded aboard a crowded ship to begin a long sea journey.
I would have joined the protesters but I am physically disabled following a stroke in 2016 - but I fully support the protesters. This terrible trade must stop now!
Helen Dowland