Live export: Farmer delegation vows to keep fighting sheep shipping ban after promising Canberra mission

A delegation of farming industry leaders has tromped the halls of Canberra and held face-to-face talks with Federal MPs from across the political divide as the fight to save WA’s live sheep trade intensifies. Eight representatives from seven State and national lobby groups flew to the ACT last week to meet with a host of parliamentarians including Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt. WAFarmers president John Hassell said while Senator Watt would not be swayed on the Albanese Government’s policy to phase-out live sheep exports, others were more open-minded. “Murray wants to keep his job within the party, he wants promotion … and as long as he does everything right, then he’ll go places, and he’d rather sacrifice agriculture than his job prospects,” Mr Hassell said. “I think that’s pretty sad. What we really need is someone who actually has a passion for agriculture and wants to improve it, not just toe the party line.” Mr Hassell said more promising talks were held with independent Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie and Liberal MP Sussan Ley during the four-day visit. “Jacqui understands where food comes from — she thinks a lot of people don’t, and that they’re a bit too removed from the food system,” he said. “But when it comes to Labor, make no mistake: regardless of who we talk to, we are not going to convince them to change their mind. “The only way we’re going to change their mind is at the ballot box.” Ms Ley — a former vocal critic of the live sheep trade who backflipped on her stance in April — was “very open to education”, Mr Hassell said. “She actually met with me in our office a while back, and I was really encouraged by that… and she’s obviously now on board,” he said. “We told her a whole lot of facts about the industry and what the cost to not only the small communities, but to the State and to the Federation would be (if it is shut down), and she said, ‘you’ve really opened my eyes’.” As well as the financial and social cost of a ban, the group highlighted the mental health toll of Federal Labor’s phase-out policy. Kojonup farmer and The Livestock Collective director Steven Bolt said Senator Watt appeared receptive to the message. “We spoke about the impact that’s already being had on farmers where we’ve seen that huge collapse in sheep prices and the effect mental health is having on growers,” Mr Bolt said. “He certainly acknowledged the impact of what this decision means for so many growers mentally and people in the supply chain.” Mr Bolt said Senator Watt acknowledged the industry had made significant improvements in animal welfare outcomes and promised to end the trade with “as little impact as possible”. Wool Producers Australia board member Steve McGuire, who was also part of the delegation, said a minimum 15-year transition was needed if the industry was shut down. He said this would allow farmers to reduce their flocks over time instead of resorting to shooting sheep — which they may have to do in the event of a more abrupt phase-out. “We know there’s a lot of pressure coming from activists to shorten the timeframe, (but) it’s not ripping a Band-Aid off,” Mr McGuire said. “The shorter it is, the more damage it’s going to be. “In recent months, the sheep industry has really been going through a tough time. Coming to Canberra is part of an ongoing campaign for us to fight this. We’re not giving up. We’ll be back before the end of the year.” Also in the delegation were WAFarmers livestock section president Geoff Pearson, Pastoralists and Graziers Association livestock committee vice chair Bindi Murray, WA Shearing Industry Association president Darren Spencer, WA Livestock and Rural Transport Association vice president Ben Sutherland and ASHEEP executive officer Sarah Brown.