15 Oct 2024
New funding announced today by Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins for the transition package for the phase out of live sheep export by sea has been welcomed by Sheep Producers Australia as an acknowledgement that government support for the transition is inadequate.
Chief Executive Officer Bonnie Skinner said while Sheep Producers Australia maintains its opposition to the Federal Government’s ban on live sheep exports by sea, she appreciates Minister Collins engaging on this critical industry issue and recognising that there is much more to be done.
“Earlier this year the government set the clock ticking down on the it’s ban of live sheep exports by sea and industry is still waiting for tangible action. While this funding announcement acknowledges some of the concerns raised by industry, there is still an enormous lack of detail.”
Sheep Producers Australia Board Director and Western Australian sheep producer Bindi Murray said farmers and businesses need more certainty about when and how they will receive support.
“The well-being of affected sheep producers, their families, their businesses and their communities must be the top priority.” Mrs Murray said.
“With the ban starting in less than four years, producers are already making the hard decisions about their futures, including cutting back their sheep numbers, risking the critical mass needed to sustain the Western Australian sheep industry.
“Sheep Producers Australia has been calling for immediate funding for on-ground farm business planning services to support producers to understand the risks this ban poses to their operations and potential options to adapt their businesses.”
Sheep Producers Australia acknowledges the trade and marketing focused initiatives announced today but wants to see more detail about these transition measures, as the majority appear to just support business-as-usual activities of the government.
“We want to see that these trade and marketing measures are genuinely new resources and that they are part of a structured program squarely focused on growing demand for Australian sheepmeat. These funds must not be used to prop up or duplicate existing programs,” Ms Skinner said.
“The current issue is getting our product to existing international markets, and that is why we have sought a government focus on increasing air freight capability out of Western Australia to alleviate bottlenecks
for sheepmeat exports.”
Sheep Producers Australia Media
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