Move comes as first ship to leave WA in wake of latest scandal the subject of another damning report • Sign up to receive the top stories in Australia every day at noon

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Pressure is continuing to mount on Australia’s live export industry, with the Greens pushing for a faster transition to processing meat locally.

The Greens push came as the first livestock ship to leave Western Australia in the wake of the latest debate over live exports, the MV Maysora, was the subject of another damning report.

Perth Now reported the MV Maysora left Fremantle last Wednesday to deliver 74,000 sheep and 8,000 cattle to Turkey, despite WA officials raising concerns over conditions.

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WA officials passed on their report to the federal agricultural minister, David Littleproud, who said he would ask Philip Moss, who is due to hand down a review on the live export industry within weeks, to “investigate the independent regulator’s actions around the departure of this shipment”.

The agriculture department confirmed it had received reports from the WA animal observer about the ship on 20 April, and an independent vet was on board the vessel as an observer.

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“The department has confirmed that the health and welfare of animals onboard is being maintained in accordance with the required Australian standards,” a departmental spokesperson said in a statement.

“The majority of issues identified by WA inspectors were witnessed at the time a large volume of animals were being loaded on to the vessel and do not reflect the conditions maintained on the voyage.”

Littleproud announced a review into how the industry is regulated, and the independent regulator’s “culture, powers and capability” after horror footage of animals dying onboard the Awassi Express was released earlier this month.

Bill Shorten called for a suspension of live sheep shipments during the northern hemisphere summer, while Liberal MP Sussan Ley announced “deadly serious” plans for a private member’s bill to end live sheep exports. Labor MP Josh Wilson has also called for an end to the practice.

The review is expected to bring a new wave of regulations for those operating within the industry, with some expecting the additional costs of meeting any new regulations may hasten the end of the industry.

However the Greens senator Lee Rhiannon said there was an opportunity to end the live meat trade, as well as expand the Australian processing industry, with the plant in Western Australia operating under capacity, now.

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“The Turnbull government’s assurances that the welfare of exported animals can be protected are worthless. At every stage they have failed to protect exported sheep from suffering,” she said in a statement.

“Labor’s plan for a temporary ban creates more uncertainty. The export trade business model relies on mass death and suffering and does not deserve another chance.”



The Greens announced its five-point transition plan, which would see government work with farmers and the industry, as well as offer an assistance package, skills expansion and promotion of boxed, chilled meat trade with the support of the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union.

“The Greens’ plan to kick-start this transition includes a farmer adjustment assistance package to help farmers adjust their flock numbers from an export focus to a more regular local processing system,” Rhiannon said.

“Building a stronger domestic meat-processing industry delivers a win-win. We end the mass cruelty and expand jobs in regional Australia.”