Open Letter to West Australian Farmers

Stop Live Exports is a group based in Fremantle that is committed to a phase out of live animal exports from Australia.  We represent the growing community concerns surrounding the trade on the basis that live exports severely compromises animal welfare and that live exports have negative impacts on our economy and employment in rural areas.

Stop Live Exports acknowledge that there have been considerable pressures on the farming community in WA in recent years, including severe drought.

We do not seek to create a city-rural divide by lobbying for a phase out of this trade, or wish to place additional pressure on farmers.  Instead we seek a collaborative approach and a well thought out and workable strategy to ensure that farmers are ready when public pressure finally dictates that politicians must act to phase out live exports.

A report, commissioned by RSPCA Australia and written by respected economic analysts, ACIL Tasman, has explored the way forward for farmers and has recommended a phase out, a term that we have now incorporated into our dialogue with decision makers and the community in general.

You can read the report or a report summary by clicking here.

Full report - ACIL Tasman Value of Live Sheep Exports
Report summary - Executive Summary Value of Live Sheep Exports

The report stated that impacts on farmers would be modest if there was a phase out and a transferable quota system was implemented to manage the gradual reduction in the number of sheep available for live export over that period.

We understand that this report has received some negative feedback from the farming sector, and we welcome all constructive comments and feedback by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We know that the live exporters have undertaken an extensive marketing campaign that seeks to assuage farmers concerns regarding the live export process as well as handling in the Middle East.  We believe that most farmers do care about the handling of their animals and we ask that farmers review footage taken by animal advocacy groups and make their own decision and what is acceptable treatment.

The most recent footage can be viewed by going to the following link:

http://www.animalsaustralia.org/investigations/live-export-investigation-2010.php#video