November 5, 2007

Western Australian farmers angry over proposed animal export ban 

Farmers in Western Australia have angrily reacted to a suggestion by the Australian Opposition Labour party that the live sheep and cattle export industry be banned.

The West Australian livestock export industry is worth more than US$550 million dollars to the national economy.

The Pastoralists and Graziers Association spokesman Tim D'Arcy says Western Australia exports more livestock than any other state. The ban would have a big impact on Australia's livestock industry.

The Federal opposition's Agriculture spokesman Kerry O'Brien says farmers are concerned that conditions in destination countries are poor and will bring the Australian trade into disrepute.

Some people are pointing the finger at unacceptable practices, many beyond the control of Australian farmers," he says adding that he would like to work with farmers to address the problem, and an outright ban would be a last resort.