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Live export is ‘crucial’ to WA: Minister McKenzie

Zach RelphThe West Australian
Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of WA president David Fyfe with Federal Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie in Brunswick.
Camera IconLivestock and Rural Transporters Association of WA president David Fyfe with Federal Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie in Brunswick. Credit: Zach Relph

Federal Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie has doubled-down on calls to maintain WA’s live sheep trade, saying it is a crucial pillar in regional towns and communities.

Speaking with Countryman in Brunswick on Tuesday during a day-long South West visit, Senator McKenzie reiterated her support for the State’s live sheep industry.

“Ideally, what I want to see is a profitable and sustainable live sheep industry here in WA — it underpins thousands of jobs and farmers’ livelihoods,” she said.

“We know what would happen if those sheep flooded the WA market — it would be devastating to the price of lamb.

“We have trusted partners overseas that we’ve been working with for decades to supply them with a safe, high-quality product and I want to see that continue.”

Senator McKenzie met with Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of WA principal David Fyfe and chief executive Jan Cooper at Wedderburn Transport owner-operator Mark Talbot’s Brunswick property.

Myalup-based cattle producer Geoff Pearson was also in attendance.

Federal Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie during her South West tour.
Camera IconFederal Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie during her South West tour. Credit: Zach Relph

The visit, alongside Forrest MHR Nola Marino, came as the Federal Government seeks industry responses to its four proposed live-sheep shipping options for Middle East-bound voyages.

The Federal Department for Agriculture and Water Resources has proposed:

— A three-month pause “during the hottest period of the northern summer”.

— Apply this year’s prohibition period from June 1 to September 22.

— Adopt a revised heat-stress risk assessment, which could prohibit or limit exports from May to September (inclusive).

— No prohibition and live-sheep exports to, or through the Middle East, will be permitted 12 months of the year.

While refusing to be drawn into supporting one of the proposals, Senator McKenzie noted a shipping standstill had ramifications along the live sheep supply chain.

Senator McKenzie said if Australia did not supply Middle Eastern markets with live sheep, customers would turn to countries, such as Somalia, which did not have high animal welfare.

LRTA president David Fyfe, boss Jan Cooper, Wedderburn Transport owner Mark Talbot, Federal Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie, Forrest MHR Nola Marino, and TW Pearson and Son boss Geoff Pearson.
Camera IconLRTA president David Fyfe, boss Jan Cooper, Wedderburn Transport owner Mark Talbot, Federal Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie, Forrest MHR Nola Marino, and TW Pearson and Son boss Geoff Pearson. Credit: Zach Relph

“They want to procure their supply of safe, nutritional and high-quality food from us,” she said.

“We have long-standing relationships with these trading partners, but we need to be a reliable supplier of their food.”

At the meeting, Mr Fyfe reiterated the live sheep sector’s importance to owner-operators and said many small business owners had been hit during the latest trade pause.

According to LRTA findings, a live sheep would be carried about 31/2 times by the time it reached Fremantle Port.

However, sheep en route to a WA-based abattoir would be carried about 11/2 times.

Mr Fyfe said the LRTA was concerned a decreased in shipments would severely impact many owner-operator’s businesses.

The Federal Government is seeking industry responses to a discussion paper outlining the policy options for sheep exports to, or through, the Middle East during the northern summer months.

The consultation period ends on October 28.

Before meeting with LRTA members, Senator McKenzie and Mrs Marino spoke with dairy farmers at Michael Partridge’s Brunswick-based farm.

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