Federal Labor is demanding a temporary ban on new live sheep exports during the northern summer.

Key points: Bill Shorten says no new live exports should happen until an inquiry into sheep deaths takes place

Bill Shorten says no new live exports should happen until an inquiry into sheep deaths takes place Late yesterday, live export industry dropped its years-long opposition to an inspector-general

Late yesterday, live export industry dropped its years-long opposition to an inspector-general Industry concedes it needs to change its ways to ease community concerns

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he felt sick to the stomach when he saw the recently released vision of sheep dying of heatstroke while being exported to the Middle East.

"Only a monster would think it's fine for this to continue without any change," Mr Shorten said.

The Federal Government ordered an inquiry into the industry and Mr Shorten said Labor would wait for that to be delivered within weeks.

But he said in the meantime, no new shipments of sheep should happen during the northern summer when the animals were under most stress from heat.

Mr Shorten's call means Labor only supports the export of sheep if the process has already started and the animals have already left the farm.

The live export industry has backed down on its long-held opposition and endorsed a Labor proposal for an independent inspector to oversee animal welfare.

After meeting in Brisbane, exporters confirmed late yesterday they would support an inspector-general with oversight for all live exported animals.

The ABC yesterday revealed the industry was considering a major retreat on the animal welfare policy, having been opposed to Labor's proposal since 2013.

The industry now concedes it had to change its position amid public outrage and concern at thousands of sheep dying of heatstroke during shipments to the Middle East.

"We want to end that. We want to change the culture," Australian Livestock Exporters' Council chairman Simon Crean said.

"I think it is another turning point for the industry. What we've been doing isn't enough, we need to do more."

The National Farmers' Federation today fell short of endorsing Labor's plans for an inspector-general. In a statement, it said it had unanswered questions to be raised with the Federal Government.

At their meeting, the exporters endorsed short- and long-term measures intended to ensure the future of their industry, while easing community and farmer concerns about the treatment of animals.

They include allowing independent observers to travel on voyages to the Middle East during this year's northern hemisphere summer.

Sheep will also be loaded at reduced stocking densities during this period.

Industry wants importing countries to take responsibility

The move came as Agriculture Minister David Littleproud launched a series of reviews into the trade and the actions of his department, the regulator of animal welfare during live exports, in reviewing mass deaths at sea.

"There is concern by the minister about how the regulator has been operating," said Mr Crean, a former federal Labor primary industries minister.

"There still needs to be a regulator, but having a specified inspector-general gives it that focus, gives it that dedication, and is the channel through which the regulatory function can be better administered and overseen."

Australian Livestock Exporters' Council chairman Simon Crean says his industry needs to win back the trust of farmers and the community. ( Supplied: ALEC )

Mr Crean was a cabinet minister when the former Gillard government banned live exports to Indonesia, a decision he has since conceded was wrong.

He said industry wanted to extend its supply chain assurance scheme globally, to ensure importing countries took some responsibility for animal welfare.

"At the moment that responsibility only falls on the exporter, the Australian company," Mr Crean said.

"But when the animals get into other countries, they don't have control. But we're also requiring the importer to shoulder that responsibility, otherwise they don't get supply."

Labor agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon said in a statement the industry's support for an inspector-general meant the Federal Government must immediately adopt the policy.

But some within the Government remain sceptical.

Liberal MP Jason Wood has long opposed live exports and wants a ban on shipments of sheep to the Middle East.

"Sadly for me it's all a bit too late," he said.

"I've been given these assurances for years and nothing's happened."

His comments follow similar sentiment from Liberal backbencher and former Cabinet minister Sussan Ley, a former farmer, who also wants a ban on live sheep exports.