Industry criticizes agreement to end PETA's anti-mulesing campaign
12 Aug '05
3 min read
“Through our unity and consistent messages to community, the taskforce has succeeded in demonstrating that farmers are at the forefront of animal welfare and committed to best animal practices in all areas of their enterprises.
The AWGA/PETA agreement also places the issue of live exports on the agenda, an outcome which also attracted criticism from industry leaders.
“WoolProducers, as part of the sheep and wool industry taskforce, supports the continuation of live exports, and any agreement that threatens this important Australian industry will not be considered. The live export trade is not negotiable,” said Robert Pietsch.
Ian Feldtmann, President of the Sheepmeat Council of Australia said the live export elements of the agreement failed to take into consideration the complexities of working with overseas markets, such as the Middle East.
“Animal welfare would be the loser under an agreement to stop live exports from Australia,” Mr Feldtmann said.
NSW Farmers Association Wool Committee Chairman, Don Hamblin, echoed the sentiments:
"The Australian live export industry is strongly committed to improving animal welfare practices in customer countries, but it is not in a position to simply impose standards on overseas governments and importers," Mr Hamblin said.
Mr Hamblin says the effectiveness of the Sheep and Wool Industry Taskforce strategies in working with international retailers has been very successful to date and will continue to receive the full support of the Association.
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