Liberate

The live export trade is one of the most sickening forms of animal abuse. In Australasia the live export of sheep has a long and bloody history. Since the 70s Australia and New Zealand have been exporting sheep to the Middle East and more recently Asian countries. Once sheep are too old to produce wool they are shipped overseas for live slaughter. The trade satisfies not only a cruel demand for animal flesh but the customary practice known as Halal killing in which animals must be killed with a single cut across the neck.

The horrific journey often begins weeks before shipment when sheep are confined to feedlots to fatten them up and get them used to dry pelleted food. The sheep are then transported by truck to ports where thousands are forced aboard the death ships. On board the boats the sheep are packed 3 or 4 per square metre in metal pens. The layers are stacked 11 or higher with upwards of 40,000 sheep per shipment The sheep are completely exposed to the elements with those on the side exposed to rain and breaking waves and those in the center suffering from extreme heat. Throughout the three week journey hundreds of sheep die from starvation, heat exhaustion, broken bones and trampling with around 40,000 sheep diying in transit from Australia every year.

Those that survive the journey are no better off as five Australian undercover investigations over the past few years have shown. Those that survive the journey are often injured, dazed and unable to walk properly. The sheep are often distressed and panting in temperatures in excess of 40 degrees They are mercilessly forced off the boats before being dragged to trucks or car boots to have their throats slit while fully conscious.

In Australia and across the world live exports have met with fierce resistance. Ports have been blockaded, animal feed tainted and activists regularly lock down to or throw themselves in front of trucks attempting to get into port. In Britain ,Jill Phipps died after being run over by a truck carrying veal calves for export to Europe, when veal crates were still legal. There have been many close calls across the world, as truck drivers often escorted by police drive through lines of protesters. Live exports are generally opposed by the public due to the clear suffering involved.

New Zealand halted live sheep exports five years ago after a shipment of sheep on the MV Cormo Express were turned away from Saudi Arabia as many were sick and diseased. The 60,000 sheep were stranded for 8 weeks at sea during which 6,000 died from starvation, heat exhaustion and illness. This created international controversy and a shocked public was led to believe that the sheep would be returned to Australia. The Australian government desperate to avoid bringing the sheep back to Australia where the public would be able to see the state they were in, instead paid Eritrea 11 million dollars to take the sheep. After this, Australia and New Zealand temporarily halted live exports for slaughter, although New Zealand continues to export animals for breeding purposes. Australia resumed exports shortly after and continues to this day.

In October last year, Jim Anderton banned live exports pending a legislative review. This was welcomed by Animal Welfare organizations and it was hoped that a permanent ban would be put in place. Despite this the man behind the Cormo shipment in 2003 is confident of resuming live exports from New Zealand to Saudi Arabia in June. Awassi NZ limited is breeding desert sheep in Napier and has applied for a special export permit which would allow live exports of sheep to go ahead. Unsurprisingly, federated farmers have come out behind Awassi NZ and are completely supporting a resumption of live exports.

Awassi New Zealand’s farm appears to be located on Smedley road Tikokino near to Hastings. They are thought to have around 300 cattle and 7000 sheep. The sheep have distinctive brown heads and legs. Apart from this, little is known about Awassi New Zealand or their plans to resume live Exports from New Zealand.

While it may seem reasonable to blame the destination countries for this sick trade, much of the blame lies at the feet of export nations. It is countries like Australia and New Zealand which profit most from this trade and it is our responsibility to end this once and for all.