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Barnaby Joyce has defended the need for a live export industry in Australia, saying regulation – not a ban – is the answer.
Federal agriculture minister David Littleproud released a review into the sheep export industry last week which recommended a large reduction in the number of sheep being shipped to the Middle East.
The review came after footage went viral showing sheep in trauma, dying from heat stress during a voyage to the Middle East in 2017.
Appearing on Sky News on Monday afternoon, the former deputy prime minister likened the calls to ban live sheep exports to the closure of the live cattle trade and greyhound racing industry. "When they closed down the live cattle trade the sentiment quickly turned in the other direction," said Joyce. "They said 'no you can't put people out of business, you can't send them broke'."
Joyce said death was part of the industry but did call for regulation changes. According to Joyce, any ban on the industry would damage people in marginal districts who were just now reaping the benefits from sheep trade.
"The exporters that are doing the wrong thing should get kicked out of the industry," he said.
"You're always going to have deaths on these ships, all animals at some point in their life are going to die – including you and I – as unfortunate as that is."
"What we have to do is make sure it's not excessive, make sure it's regulated properly, and not use it as a tactic to try and send people broke."