Middle Eastern consumers are turning
to boxed meat and higher value products. With jobs disappearing in manufacturing
the transition from live export to a chilled meat trade should more than ever
be a priority.
Barnaby Joyce has stated that the
live sheep trade is crucial to the Western Australian economy but World Society
for the Protection of Animals research highlights a value added advantage of
$7-12 associated with domestic processing rather than exporting live animals.
It is apparent the Liberal Government is not interested in animal welfare and is unwilling to take action no matter how badly animals are treated. Minister Joyce’s smug and arrogant dismissal of complaints concerning animal welfare shows he is not an appropriate Minister to safeguard animal welfare. Perhaps he doesn’t realise he has that job. Responsibility for animal welfare should be taken off him and given to a more enlightened Minister.
