Sheep Producers Australia CEO Bonnie Skinner.

AUSTRALIA’S peak sheep producer body has welcomed the Federal Government’s $32.7 million addition to its $107m transition support package for the phaseout of live sheep exports by sea.

Sheep Producers Australia welcomed the new funding announced today by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins as an acknowledgement that government support for the transition is inadequate.

SPA chief executive officer Bonnie Skinner said while the funding announcement acknowledges some of the concerns raised by industry, “there is still an enormous lack of detail.”

Ms Skinner said Sheep Producers Australia has been calling for immediate funding for on-ground farm business planning services to support producers to understand the risks the trade ban poses to their operations and potential options to adapt their businesses. However, Ms Skinner has declined opportunities to release details of the transition funding SPA believes is needed, apart from claiming it needs to be four times the original $107 million package.

Ms 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 its ban of live sheep exports by sea and industry is still waiting for tangible action.”

SPA 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.

“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,” Ms Murray said.

The government said the extra $32.7 million increases funding to assist sheep producers and those in the associated supply chains to adapt from $64.6 million to $97.3 million. It includes $3 million for Meat & Livestock Australia sheep meat market promotions, $8.6 million for agriculture counsellors in Dubai and Riyadh to support regional trade relationships and expand market opportunities, and $9 million for Austrade to promote Australian sheep products globally and trade growth in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Sheep Producers Australia acknowledged the trade and marketing focused initiatives announced today, but wanted 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 sheep meat,” Ms Skinner said.

“These funds must not be used to prop up or duplicate existing programs.

“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 sheep meat exports,” she said.

RSPCA also welcomes new funding

RSPCA Australia chief executive officer Richard Mussell also welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of further investment to support a transition away from live sheep export.

“Today, the government has committed to an increased support package — on top of the $107m already provided — helping ensure that we finally pave the way for a better future for Australia’s sheep.

“We have long advocated for government support for farmers and other stakeholders in the supply chain to transition away from the live export of sheep,” Mr Mussell said.

“The decision to phase out live sheep export was based on the significant animal welfare issues inherent in the trade of sheep from Australia by sea, and the fact that the trade is unfixable.

“It is a decision based on science and one that has the support of the community,” he said.

“For those in the industry who haven’t already — we encourage everyone involved in live sheep export to look to the future and start making plans to transition away from this unnecessary trade.”