“ABC 7:30’s investigation into animal cruelty in the live export trade to the Middle East further highlights the need for this terrible trade to end. Footage of sheep being slaughtered right next to each other, in pain due to mistreatment, being dragged along the ground, and suffering from the scorching heat of the region where temperatures can reach 50 degrees is deeply shocking and deserves urgent attention.
“I applaud the Federal Government for committing to phase out the export of sheep to the Middle East. But the Government needs to act much faster than the current drawn out consultation process promises.
“The welfare of animals should be of the utmost priority. There is little community support for this vile industry and it’s time to ban the live animal export trade outright, because the only way to end the cruelty is to end the trade.”