❓ Mr. Rundle questions the Premier on the sheep industry's decline, linking it to the impending live export ban. The Premier dismisses the link, attributing price fluctuations to market forces and highlighting government support for farmers.
AnsweredQoN 668Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SHEEP INDUSTRY
668. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I refer to grave concerns
within our sheep-farming sector, which is grappling with a loss of confidence
and a dramatic fall in sheep prices,
an example of which is young wethers falling from $150 a head this time last
year to just $5 for similar stock now, as well as the inability to find
markets due to federal Labor's impending live export ban.
(1) Does the
Premier acknowledge that his failure to successfully lobby his federal
colleagues has caused this lack of confidence?
(2) Does the
Premier have any idea of the potential crisis that is looming, with rapidly
declining sheep prices and limited markets in which to sell sheep?
668. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I refer to grave concerns
within our sheep-farming sector, which is grappling with a loss of confidence
and a dramatic fall in sheep prices,
an example of which is young wethers falling from $150 a head this time last
year to just $5 for similar stock now, as well as the inability to find
markets due to federal Labor's impending live export ban.
(1) Does the
Premier acknowledge that his failure to successfully lobby his federal
colleagues has caused this lack of confidence?
(2) Does the
Premier have any idea of the potential crisis that is looming, with rapidly
declining sheep prices and limited markets in which to sell sheep?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2)
The member seems to be conflating two completely unrelated issues. One is the
issue of the price of sheep, and I will come
to that shortly. The other is to do with a federal government inquiry into the
potential for a ban on live sheep exports, which may or may not come
into being in 2027 or 2028. There are no restrictions
on the export of live sheep, other than those that we introduced on the welfare
of those animals . It is wrong to say that this is somehow impacted by a government
decision that has not been made and will not be implemented for another four
years.
The other issue the member raised
was the price of sheep, which of course is completely decoupled, delinked and
unattached from the confidence of farmers. That is a ludicrous suggestion. This
is called a function of the market. I obviously
appreciate the difficult situation that our sheep producers are in. Over the last 18 months, there has been a decline
in the strong prices that we had seen nationally for lamb in recent years. This decline started well before the reason for the crisis of confidence
that the member referred to—that is, the federal government's
announcement on live sheep exports. Resources for farmers for the 2023 season are available on the Department of
Primary Industries and Regional Development website. We also have the best
Minister for Agriculture and Food since the last one, who is always available
to speak with farmers, hear about their concerns and work with the industry by
continuing to monitor and support it.
I draw the attention of the
chamber to the fluctuations in the price of sheep over the last few years. In
2016, the price was 201ȼ a kilo. It then went up to 419ȼ a kilo in
2018, and it is now down to 241ȼ a kilo in 2023. We understand that there
will continue to be fluctuations in the price, and we understand that that will
continue to have an impact on farmers. Regardless of any other issues out
there, there will be fluctuations in the price. That is called the market. We
also know that our farming community is resilient and has diversified industries that allow farmers to rely on other
livestock or crops to sustain their businesses . That is the way it has
always been. They should have confidence in our Minister for Agriculture and Food,
who will stand by them, work with them and assist them where appropriate to
ride out any of these disruptions or fluctuations in the market.
The member seems to be conflating two completely unrelated issues. One is the
issue of the price of sheep, and I will come
to that shortly. The other is to do with a federal government inquiry into the
potential for a ban on live sheep exports, which may or may not come
into being in 2027 or 2028. There are no restrictions
on the export of live sheep, other than those that we introduced on the welfare
of those animals . It is wrong to say that this is somehow impacted by a government
decision that has not been made and will not be implemented for another four
years.
The other issue the member raised
was the price of sheep, which of course is completely decoupled, delinked and
unattached from the confidence of farmers. That is a ludicrous suggestion. This
is called a function of the market. I obviously
appreciate the difficult situation that our sheep producers are in. Over the last 18 months, there has been a decline
in the strong prices that we had seen nationally for lamb in recent years. This decline started well before the reason for the crisis of confidence
that the member referred to—that is, the federal government's
announcement on live sheep exports. Resources for farmers for the 2023 season are available on the Department of
Primary Industries and Regional Development website. We also have the best
Minister for Agriculture and Food since the last one, who is always available
to speak with farmers, hear about their concerns and work with the industry by
continuing to monitor and support it.
I draw the attention of the
chamber to the fluctuations in the price of sheep over the last few years. In
2016, the price was 201ȼ a kilo. It then went up to 419ȼ a kilo in
2018, and it is now down to 241ȼ a kilo in 2023. We understand that there
will continue to be fluctuations in the price, and we understand that that will
continue to have an impact on farmers. Regardless of any other issues out
there, there will be fluctuations in the price. That is called the market. We
also know that our farming community is resilient and has diversified industries that allow farmers to rely on other
livestock or crops to sustain their businesses . That is the way it has
always been. They should have confidence in our Minister for Agriculture and Food,
who will stand by them, work with them and assist them where appropriate to
ride out any of these disruptions or fluctuations in the market.
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