STOP LIVE EXPORTS

On the 18th March, BLEAT volunteers (see more below about BLEAT, the joint Stop Live Exports and Animals Australia volunteer team) were out in force in Fremantle for their first initiative – a Sheep Memorial, with each of the 35 sheep representing 1000 sheep that died on board transport vessels in 2008. Over 1400 petition signatures were gained on the day which is a fantastic effort. The sheep looked great as well and there was no doubt about the message – BAN LIVE EXPORTS! Thank you to everyone who got involved in making the sheep, putting them together, setting up and helping on the day.

Mortality reports for the live export of cattle and sheep in 2008 have recently been made available. In 2008, 4,161,218 sheep were exported of which 35, 425 (0.85%) died on board ships. 861,657 cattle were exported with 987 (0.11%) dying on board. The rates for 2007 were 0.99% for sheep and 0.10% for cattle.

Every year tens of thousands of sheep die on the ships before they reach the Middle East. In 2006 alone, 36,408 sheep died on sea voyages. Hundreds of cattle die each year on the sea voyage, and more succumb to illness and disease after arrival.

Animals that survive the long stressful journeys are then subjected to further transportation, handling and slaughter methods that are frequently not acceptable and illegal in Australia.

Around 47% of deaths recorded in the live sheep trade occur during the sea voyage and are caused by failure to eat the unfamiliar pellet diet which is their only source of food during the trip. Salmonellosis, acondition aggravated by inadequate feed intake, is another common cause of death and so is physical trauma. A single veterinarian/stockman for sometimes more than 100,000 animals on board cannot be expected to find, yet alone treat ill animals.

The Keniry report, which followed the Cormo Express disaster, found that the death of animals in the live export trade was directly linked to the stress of transportation.

Click here for all Export Statistics

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MBF Claim form 20 Oct 2008