[Greens-Media] Greens slam irrational growth in volatile live export trade

[Walker, Nadine]

Greens slam irrational growth in volatile live export trade
Media statement, Tuesday, 11 February 2014. 

Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Ms Lynn MacLaren MLC has labelled the Federal negotiations to re-open the live export trade in Bahrain and Iran as 'a huge step backwards for a volatile trade rife with inhumane treatment and unpredictability'. 

"Reopening a live export trade with Bahrain and Iran will outrage thousands of Australians who oppose this trade as their valid concerns about animal welfare remain ignored". 

"On all accounts the system repeatedly fails: the recent case of 4000 sheep that died on a trip to Gaza; in Jordan and Kuwait sheep were slaughtered unethically on the streets.

"Australia already developed a reliable export market of chilled meat to Bahrain and Iran. Why is the Agriculture Department attempting to re-establish live exports, a system that failed?"

Ms MacLaren emphasises that the Greens have campaigned long term for the transition to chilled meat exports, and discredited claims that Muslim nations will reject meat processed in Australia. "We send halal-certified meat to every country we send live sheep to and this meat is just as acceptable as meat from animals processed locally".

"It is time to stop with the excuses, the time is now to make the transition to a secure and sustainable alternative". 

http://www.banliveexport.com/facts/live-export-myths.php

For comment: Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC
Mobile 0403 721 951

Media liaison: Nadine Walker
Mobile 0449 189 195

Office of Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC, Member for South Metropolitan Region
Legislative Council, Parliament of Western Australia
Unit 7, 142 South Terrace, Fremantle, Western Australia 6160
Tel 08 9430 7233
Nadine.Walker at mp.wa.gov.au   www.LynnMacLaren.org.au