The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has joined the chorus of organisations demanding improvements in the country’s live export trade.
It has called on the Federal Government to temporarily ban the live export of sheep until a consensus can be found to determine if there is a solution that involves humane treatment and transport of animals.
The MUA said these discussions should involve farmers, the livestock industry, logistics companies, unions and animal welfare groups.
The MUA’s call for action follows the recent deaths of 2,400 sheep on an Australian ship bound for the Middle East.
The fatalities were exposed on an Australian current affairs program in mid-April using secret footage of conditions on board the Awassi Express (built 1990).
“ The first job of this group is to determine if the industry has short or long term future,” the MUA said in a statement on Friday.
“If the solution involves phasing out of live exports then the Federal Government should provide an industry restructuring package to allow workers and farmers to transition into the value adding meat exports sector.
“If there is a long term future for live exports then much tougher regulation must apply to animal welfare and importantly for the welfare of seafarers responsible for carrying this cargo.
“This should include consideration of Australian ships operated by Australian crews under Australian legislation that governs livestock transport for the export market.”
The MUA contends that “many of the problems exist” because the animals are transported on substandard vessels crewed by foreign crew who have little knowledge or understanding of Australian law and who are often exploited themselves.
“In any case if the trade continues over the short or long term then independent inspectors must closely monitor the trade from farm gate to the final destination overseas,” the MUA said.
“Properly accredited independent observers must ensure compliance with the rules to protect both animals and seafarers.”
Australia is one of the world’s biggest live animal exporters, in a global trade worth $19bn, sending almost 2m sheep and 1m cattle to Asia and the Middle East in 2017.
The industry claims it has implemented the world’s best standards of animal welfare during transit and in overseas slaughterhouses.
The Awassi Express was converted from a 2,300-teu containership in 2010 at a shipyard in Indonesia in a project that reportedly cost $60m.
