Dr. Pettitt questions the WA government's preparedness for the live sheep export ban, focusing on economic transition and meat processing benefits. The Minister responds, emphasizing support for the live export trade and reviewing recommendations.

AnsweredQoN 526Legislative Council
Asked
16 May 2024
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

LIVE EXPORT —
SHEEP INDUSTRY
526. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I refer to comments made in 2022 by
the then Minister for Agriculture and Food, Alannah MacTiernan, that farmers
should stop flogging a dead horse and accept the inevitable that the live
export trade would one day be banned. Given that the live animal export
industry has declined by at least 64 per cent since 2017 and the federal Labor
Party's recent commitment to banning live sheep exports by 2028 —
(1) What is WA Labor currently doing
to prepare for an end to live exports and ensure a just transition?
(2) Has the Department of Primary Industries and
Regional Development done any modelling on the economic benefits of a local
meat processing industry for chilled meat export?
(3) If yes to (2), will the minister
table the modelling?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The Western Australian
government has been clear and consistent in its support for maintaining the
live export trade. I have written to Senator
Hon Murray Watt advising that the transition package will not meet the
current and future needs of the WA sheep industry supply chain. We are
reviewing the live exports panel's report and will consider the
recommendations for a regulatory role for the WA government for the purpose of
assisting the state's farming and meat processing sectors during this challenging
time.
(2)–(3) Modelling
on the economic benefits of the local meat processing industry was included in
the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's
submission to the Australian government's independent panel on
the phase-out of live sheep exports by sea, which was tabled in this place on 8
August 2023.

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