Live Export
Last Updated:
March 2025
Position statement
Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) supports a sustainable and regulated live export trade, grounded by evidence-based science and support from both the Export Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) for Australian livestock, and the Livestock Global Assurance Program (LGAP) which supports raising global standards. SPA strongly supports producers’ ability to sell product to markets that meet domestic and global regulations while uplifting global food security, especially while improving global animal welfare in a market underpinned by science and evidence.
What's the issue?
Live sheep exports must be maintained for WA sheep producers to sustain their systems in the face of isolation and strong farmgate competition for sheep, driven by access to markets including live exports and domestic processing. Grazier competition in WA is limited, with producers relying on the competitive tension provided by live export to ensure stronger competition, fairer farmgate pricing, and sustainable businesses.
With a strong focus on merino production, the WA sheep flock plays an important role in sustaining the national flock, ensuring vital breeding stock is maintained to support periods of rebuilding on both the east and west coast of Australia after drought. This is not only critical for the long-term success of the Australian sheep meat industry, but also the wool and meat processing sectors.
With a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, the Australian sheep meat industry recognises the importance of meeting the diverse preferences and requirements of international markets. Respecting the cultural, religious and infrastructure requirements, Australia has a long history of uplifting global food security through the provision of live exported sheep.
If Australia ceases its supply, the markets demanding live exported sheep will simply source their livestock from other countries. This may lead to adverse welfare outcomes as Australia is the only country that regulates standards of animal welfare in the importing country through the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS). Australia also invests in training and auditing in the importing country to ensure compliance of the ESCAS standards and high levels of welfare.
The Labor Government’s decision to recommit to its policy to phase out live sheep export by sea removes a critical demand for WA sheep, thereby reducing farmgate competition and this decision also risks the enviable trading reputation that the Australian sheep industry has built with global customers over decades. Our industry’s reputation, built on the consistent delivery of high-quality products and reliable supply, has positioned Australia as the foremost sheep meat exporter globally.
Given the indifference to the outstanding improvements and performance of the trade since 2018, and the lack of consultation and due diligence completed by Government when recommitting to this policy, an alarming precedent has been set for future agricultural policy decision making. The policy decisions made for Australian agriculture must be evidence-based, strategic, science based, inclusive and collaborative in the approach to leaving no Australian worse off, especially through government-imposed market intervention. To divert from this threatens the future of the industry, businesses, families and communities.
SPA policy principles
To ensure Australian sheep producers can continue to sell their livestock to live export markets. A cessation of this trade will create perverse competition outcomes to the sustainability, productivity and profitability of many sheep producers, particularly those in the WA sheep industry.
If the ban is upheld, independent expert analysis, on farmgate competition forces in the market must be completed to better inform competition policy and associated viable structures. To support future policy discussions about the sheep live export industry, the Federal Government must undertake independent economic and community sentiment studies which provide unbiased and robust analysis about the trade’s performance and consequences of policy reforms for Australian sheep producers.
To ensure genuine consultation and engagement on future pathways for the Australian sheep industry, the Federal Government must commit to a policy process that is evidence based, strategic, inclusive and collaborative.
SPA's role
Sheep Producers Australia remains strongly opposed to the government’s decision to phase out live sheep exports by sea and will advocate for reversal of the ban.
SPA continues to hold the government accountable on the transition package and the ongoing costs borne on businesses and livelihoods, particularly those who directly or indirectly are made worse off in their adaptation to the policy. SPA also continues to keep the government accountable for the appointment of a transition advocate and the proposed implementation pathways for producers and regional communities. Engaging with the government in no way signifies support for the phase out of the live export of sheep.
SPA remains strongly opposed to the government’s decision while trying to ensure that if the ban cannot be stopped, producers and the industry will receive the support needed for a transition with market access opportunities equal to that provided by live export. SPA seeks to ensure recognition and compensation for those affected by the policy, this extends to those in the supply chain who will need re-educating and re-skilling to adapt to the government-imposed market intervention. SPA has been working closely with its WA members on the approach to these discussions.