Many justified people across Australia recently raised their voices against animal cruelty perpetrated in Indonesian abattoirs. The solution being sought is a total ban on live exports. I put forward aspects for consideration.
First, the knee-jerk reaction from the government to appease the public outcry; this temporary ban has had limited success. It has also had the undesired result of considerable outrage in cattle farming regions. The government is now in a situation that is ill-advised considering its tenuous hold on power. Any attempts at compromise now will not appease either side but rather further upset both.
Second, in a post GFC economy action that is detrimental to an industry earning 300 million pa. must be considered carefully including the ripple effects of any changes. This includes repercussions for farming families, station workers, service providers and suppliers, as well as the transport industry. Furthermore, rural communities and the job losses they will suffer. A compromise is needed or both people and animals will suffer.
Finally, any policy made regarding live export at this time is a knee-jerk reaction. The quality of policies made in such circumstances is questionable, and how hard will it be to fix? The government must not tie itself in knots with ill-advised policy decisions for the sake of politics, this issue is too important.
Personally I could not care less what effects banning live exports has on people or the economy. What everybody needs to learn is that animals are our equals NOT our incomes.
How many jobs were lost because of live exports.. When animals are being brutally killed and farmers are aware and continue to send them, there should be NO consideration for the farmers etc
Thanks for your opinion and input! One thing you said made me wonder. The line about animals being our equals and not our income. I see where you are coming from with that, but I look at the world today and see how humans are treating humans and I could say the same thing - humans are our equals NOT our income. Really it seems that nothing and no one is sacred, human or animal. Therefore I think we need to start with treating people right before we have any chance at treating animals right. If people don't value people, they aren't likely to value animals.
Therefore I think we need to start with treating people right before we have any chance at treating animals right.
Animals used for food are the most abused beings on the planet and that's why I campaign my hardest for them. However, we don't have to choose one or the other. How does treating humans right mean we have to treat animals wrong?
The main issue for me with banning live export in such a public way, is the severing ties it may have with not only ourselves and indonesia, but also with the live export industry in general. since its last enquiry under howard, we have had people in indonesia modifying abattoirs to fit more humane standards. completely withdrawing from the trade (especially in such a public 'we are better than you' manner) might actually hinder our ability to progress some abattoirs standards. i by no means support the live export trade, or even agree with the idea that meat can be slaughtered 'humanely' - but i do understand that abattoirs will most probably be around until we die and perhaps we shouldn't be distancing ourselves from a position of influence so quickly..
Really great point! One of the things that I worry about is that if a live export ban is implemented in Australia, which it may - it's still before parliament I believe. I worry that although many many Australian animals may not have to endure the live export process, another country will step in and supply Indonesia with animals for slaughter. Not only that but due to the outcry the country that picks up the slack is unlikely to be one that cares about animal welfare, meaning the standards of care in the live export and slaughter process will be significantly below those upheld in Australia. And Australia, as said before, will have no influence in Indonesia to do anything about it. Then where has the ban gotten us? What has really been achieved?
In response to Kyrenna's message.. What great Australian standards do we have when we send live exports.. as we have seen again and again our animals suffer because welfare comes last in our country when it comes to live exports. Over 30 years of live exports and no changes have been made to improve the welfare of animals..
