Animal cruelty slammed

THERE are renewed calls from the community to put a stop to live export in the wake of a shocking report on animal cruelty featured on the ABC's Four Corners program on Monday night.

The report exposed inhumane conditions and practices imposed on Australian export cattle processed in a number of Indonesian abattoirs and featured graphic footage of animal cruelty.

As community outrage grew over the footage, Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig announced on Tuesday a suspension to live exports to 11 of the facilities featured in the report plus an independent review into the issue.

Page MP, Janelle Saffin who is an opponent of live export, welcomed Mr Ludwig's response and said the Four Corners' report was a grim wake-up call to some of the possible realities of live export.

“I first raised the issue in Parliament early last year and this year my private member's motion calling for the phasing out of live exports and an increase in chilled and frozen meat exports was debated in Parliament,” Ms Saffin said.

“I've been leading this debate with colleagues for some time, particularly promoting changes within our Labor Party in terms of policy.”

Ms Saffin said since the report went to air she had received numerous phone calls from local farmers saying such practices had to stop.

“We have a responsibility to make sure that animals are treated in the same way that we treat them here,” she said.

The report has also vindicated the views of many animal welfare groups who oppose live export on the grounds of animal cruelty.

Anna Ludvik, a law student at Lismore's Southern Cross University who has been campaigning for animal rights on behalf of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), she said it was time leaders took action.

“Live export must end. Not only is it offensive to most Australians' perceptions of good animal welfare practices but it costs regional Australia jobs and income,” Ms Ludvik said.

“Too often the voice of regional Australia is unheard when it comes to animal protection and we want to make it clear that here in the country we care about animals and demand to see better conditions.”

The call to end live export has not been met with unanimous support though. Nationals Leader, Warren Truss said although he welcomed Mr Ludwig's suspension of live export to the shamed facilities, he said live export should continue and the strategy should instead bring the standards of overseas processing facilities up to scratch.

“I cannot stress how important it is to get this right. Live cattle trade is the only option for northern Australia's herd and the north's regional communities,” Mr Truss said.

“There are no abattoirs in the north or west and no practical options to open new facilities.”