Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024

The majority voted in favour of a motion to agree with the main idea of the bill (known as giving the bill a second reading), which means the bill can now be considered in further detail.

What does this bill do?

According to the bill digest:

• The Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024 (the Bill) proposes to ban the export of live sheep by sea from Australia from 1 May 2028.

• Australia is the world’s largest exporter of sheep meat, encompassing both live exports and frozen products. In 2022–23, the estimated value of Australia’s sheep meat exports was $4.5 billion. Live sheep exports by sea made up less than 2% of this trade, at around $77 million. The demand for Australia’s live sheep exports is mostly driven by Middle Eastern customers who prefer freshly slaughtered meat that adheres to specific cultural practices.

• The export of live animals could entail significant risks to their welfare. In 2018, video footage obtained by an industry whistleblower was aired on national television. The footage showed thousands of sheep dying in extreme heat and cramped conditions on board an export vessel operated by an Australian company.

• Prior to the 2022 federal election, the Australian Labor Party said it was committed to phasing out live sheep exports if elected. In March 2023, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt appointed an independent panel to provide advice on how and when a phase out could be implemented.

• On 11 May 2024, Minister Watt announced the Albanese Government’s decision to end live sheep exports by sea from 1 May 2028. The Government also allocated a $107 million transition support package for the affected industry. The Bill gives legislative effect to the measures.

• The proposed ban of live sheep exports by sea is a highly contentious issue that elicits strong reactions from stakeholders. As such, opinions about the Bill are divided. On the one hand, animal welfare activists and the Australian Greens argue that live sheep export trade should be phased out sooner. On the other hand, livestock farmers and the Coalition push for the trade to continue, arguing that the ban will have ‘enormous consequences’ for local jobs and the Australian economy.

• The Bill has been referred to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture, which is due to report by 21 June 2024.