Live animal trade - cruelty

Extract from Hansard
[COUNCIL — Tuesday, 27 September 2011]
p7761b-7762a
Hon Lynn MacLaren; Hon Robyn McSweeney

LIVE SHEEP AND CATTLE TRADE — FURTHER CRUELTY ALLEGATIONS

4582. Hon Lynn MacLaren to the Minister for Child Protection representing the Minister for Agriculture and
Food

(1) Is the Minister aware of the latest evidence of cruelty to Australian livestock in Turkey, which
documents cattle and sheep routinely being hoisted and hung by a hind leg before having their throats
cut whilst fully conscious?

(2) How many animals have been exported from Western Australia to Turkey —

(a) last year; and

(b) so far this year?

(3) Is the Minister aware of the latest evidence of cruelty to Australian cattle in Israel which documents
cattle tightly packed on a truck, caked in faeces and being beaten with spike-tipped poles?

(4) How many animals were exported from Western Australia to Israel —

(a) last year; and

(b) so far this year?

(5) What action will the Western Australian Government take, if any, to ensure that the use of Meat and
Livestock Authority’s Mark 1 Box is discontinued for Australian cattle in Indonesia, now that the
restraint device has been officially condemned by Australia’s chief vet as being inhumane?

Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied:

(1) I am aware that Animals Australia has released video footage purported to show slaughtering practices
in Turkey.

(2) (a) The number of sheep exported from Western Australia to Turkey in 2010 was 215 038 and the
number of cattle exported from Western Australia to Turkey in 2010 was 58 554.

(b) The number of sheep exported from Western Australia to Turkey between January and
June 2011 was 179 954 and the number of cattle exported from Western Australia to Turkey
between January and June 2011 was 29 715.

These numbers include livestock exported for breeding and/or slaughter.

(3) No

(4) (a) The number of sheep exported from Western Australia to Israel in 2010 was 42 000 and the
number of cattle exported from Western Australia to Israel in 2010 was 43 212.

(b) The number of sheep exported from Western Australia to Israel between January and
June 2011 was 25 000 and the number of cattle exported from Western Australia to Israel
between January and June 2011 was 18 784.

These numbers include livestock exported for breeding and/or slaughter.

(5) Under the Constitution, the export of livestock from Australia and any conditions that apply are the
responsibility of the Australian Government.