Q&A

Why are live animals exported?

Why are live animals exported?

Live animals are exported to EU countries from the UK for breeding, fattening, and slaughter. EU rules to protect the welfare of live animals during transport and related operations were agreed in 2004, and implemented in the UK in 2007.

How are animals exported?

Live export is the commercial transport of livestock across national borders. The trade involves a number of countries with the Australian live export industry being one of the largest exporters in the global trade. During 2017 alone, Australia exported 2.85 million living animals in shipping containers and airplanes.

What is live trade of animals?

Live export refers to the transport of animals to other countries for various purposes, such as slaughter or breeding. Although a wide variety of animals are traded around the world (including horses, cats, dogs and exotic animals), most media and political attention has focused on the trade of live farmed animals.

What is the issue of live animal export?

The export of live animals for slaughter is inherently high-risk, with decades of repeated evidence of suffering and cruelty. The RSPCA believes live animal export should be phased out in favour of an increased trade in boxed and chilled meat from animals that have been humanely slaughtered here in Australia.

Why is live animal trade bad?

The export of live sheep, cattle and goats for slaughter gives rise to serious welfare problems — these relate to the conditions animals experience during the journey itself, resulting in extensive suffering and high death rates, and to the treatment of animals once they reach the importing countries.

How are animals treated in live export?

Arrangements to ensure exported animals are well treated during road and sea transportation are an important part of the standards. Each animal must have access to food and water on demand and enough space to lie down, and there must be special pens for sick animals to receive veterinary care.

What is an export cartel?

An Export cartel is an agreement or arrangement between firms to charge a specified export price and/or to divide export markets.

Why is live export important?

Importance of Live Exports In addition to the considerable economic benefits the live export industry provides Australia’s economy, the trade is also important to a number of overseas countries who rely heavily on imports of Australian livestock to meet their protein needs and ensure their overall food security.

Why do we need to stop exporting live animals?

What needs to change The export of live animals for slaughter is inherently high-risk, with decades of repeated evidence of suffering and cruelty. The RSPCA believes live animal export should be phased out in favour of an increased trade in boxed and chilled meat from animals that have been humanely slaughtered here in Australia.

Is it safe to export live animals to Australia?

The export of live animals for slaughter is inherently high-risk, with decades of repeated evidence of suffering and cruelty. The RSPCA believes live animal export should be phased out in favour of an increased trade in boxed and chilled meat from animals that have been humanely slaughtered here in Australia.

How much is the livestock export industry in Australia worth?

The livestock export industry is a valuable Australian industry that is worth over $800 million each year and supports the livelihood of many people in rural and regional Australia. Australia leads the world in animal welfare practices.

Is the RSPCA against exporting live animals?

The RSPCA believes live animal export should be phased out in favour of an increased trade in boxed and chilled meat from animals that have been humanely slaughtered here in Australia.