RSPCA Australia slams Indonesian abattoir move

Australia's live export trade faces opposition from campaigners

Related tags Australia Beef Lamb Livestock

Australian welfare activists have hit out against a government decision to fund research into building a sheep abattoir in Indonesia.

The project has been signed off by Austrade, the Australian government’s trade, investment and education promotion agency. It would open up a new supply chain for Australian sheep, thousands of which are already exported live to the Middle East every year.

RSPCA Australia president Lynne Bradshaw said the creation of the Indonesian abattoir and new supply chain for sheep would unnecessarily place animals at risk.

“What should be happening is local investment, creating Australian jobs and protecting our animals,” she said “At a time when the government claims to be concerned about the fading Australian manufacturing industry, why are they looking to invest abroad rather than here?”

Bradshaw claimed that efforts to develop Australia’s domestic meat processing capability and meat export markets would be far more beneficial to livestock farmers than investment in live exports.

Research suggests that 2,000 jobs could be created in the Western Australian meat processing industry if sheep were slaughtered in Australia rather than abroad.

“Everyone knows that the best welfare outcome for Australian sheep is for them to be slaughtered here under Australian standards,” added Bradshaw.