Abbott says no to live export ban
Abbott said halting live exports could be disastrous for Australia’s livestock industry. Vietnam is its second largest export market after Indonesia. He said the government would "carefully investigate" the allegations and whether the animals captured on camera were Australian. "But the last thing we’ll do is close down the trade," he said.
Animals Australia claims it has footage showing cattle being hit in the head with sledgehammers to kill them. However it has declined to release the footage, claiming it was "too distressing".
In 2011, the former government halted live cattle exports to Indonesia following a TV expose of cruel slaughter practices. According to Australian press reports, Abbot said this decision was "probably the most short-sighted blunder in Australian foreign policy in recent memory", which he would not be repeating.
"It cost thousands of Australians their livelihoods, at least for a period. It badly damaged our relations with Indonesia, a country which is very important to us."
The Australian export market with Vietnam is currently booming, thanks to favourable currency conditions and a declining Vietnamese herd. Between 2013 and 2014, live cattle exports increased 171% according to Meat & Livestock Australia.
