The Australian government is planning to get around its own animal welfare restrictions to allow live exports of Australian livestock to Saudi Arabia. Presently, Australian livestock can't be exported to Saudi Arabia because of the county's sub-standard animal welfare laws.
Animal welfare groups allege Barnaby Joyce, the federal agriculture minister, plans to exempt Saudi Arabia from Australia’s animal welfare laws to allow live exports.
Saudi Arabia will not accept Australia’s welfare guidelines, known as the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (Escas), which places responsibility for the welfare of livestock on the exporter right up to the point of slaughter.
Escas was put in place following the exposure of systemic animal cruelty and immense public outcry. Nonetheless, a government spokesperson said Mr Joyce had not yet started rolling out plans to resume the export of Australian animals to Saudi Arabia but wants to find a way to do it.
However, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is strongly advising the government not to resume exports to Saudi Arabia saying it would subject Australian animals to suffering. RSPCA chief executive, Heather Neil, said 57,000 Australian sheep were rejected by Saudi Arabia in 2003, leaving them stranded at sea for three months, causing thousands to die.
Australian animals should be subject to the same animal welfare laws and standards both at home and in other countries. Barnaby Joyce should put ethics before profits and respect and uphold Escas.
Please sign and share the petition to demand Australia does not send animals to slaughter in countries with poor animal welfare laws.
