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Government must reconsider 'cruel' live cattle exports to China, RSPCA says Government must reconsider 'cruel' live cattle exports to China, RSPCA says
(about 17 hours later)
Exporting live cattle to China is “cruel” and will see the welfare of the stock harmed, animal rights groups have warned.Exporting live cattle to China is “cruel” and will see the welfare of the stock harmed, animal rights groups have warned.
The agriculture minister, Barnaby Joyce, announced on Monday night that a deal with China potentially worth $2bn was on the verge of being signed.The agriculture minister, Barnaby Joyce, announced on Monday night that a deal with China potentially worth $2bn was on the verge of being signed.
On Tuesday afternoon he told reporters that the deal would represent a “substantial increase” in Australia’s export industry.On Tuesday afternoon he told reporters that the deal would represent a “substantial increase” in Australia’s export industry.
Related: Planned live cattle export agreement with China hailed by Barnaby JoyceRelated: Planned live cattle export agreement with China hailed by Barnaby Joyce
But animal rights groups say that China’s treatment of its animals is not the same standard as Australia’s.But animal rights groups say that China’s treatment of its animals is not the same standard as Australia’s.
“One must wonder, who else is left on the list of the world’s cruellest countries that we can export animals to,” Animals Australia spokeswoman Lisa Chalk told Guardian Australia.“One must wonder, who else is left on the list of the world’s cruellest countries that we can export animals to,” Animals Australia spokeswoman Lisa Chalk told Guardian Australia.
“China recently received an ‘E’ rating on the world animal protection index. China has no animal cruelty laws and the worst track record of any country in the world when it comes to its treatment of animals.”“China recently received an ‘E’ rating on the world animal protection index. China has no animal cruelty laws and the worst track record of any country in the world when it comes to its treatment of animals.”
RSPCA Australia wants the government to reconsider the deal.RSPCA Australia wants the government to reconsider the deal.
“Today is a dark day for Australian cattle, this decision will see tens of thousands of Aussie animals face export to China to be slaughtered in facilities that don’t meet the same high standards as Australian abattoirs,” chief scientist Bidda Jones said.“Today is a dark day for Australian cattle, this decision will see tens of thousands of Aussie animals face export to China to be slaughtered in facilities that don’t meet the same high standards as Australian abattoirs,” chief scientist Bidda Jones said.
Jones warned that Australian cattle will be infected with parasites if they are exported to China.
“The meat trade is worth seven times more per annum than live exports to Australia; this is where the government should be focusing expansion,” Jones said.“The meat trade is worth seven times more per annum than live exports to Australia; this is where the government should be focusing expansion,” Jones said.
“China is already a major importer of Australian meat. We’re urging the minister to focus on this industry rather than putting the welfare of more Australian animals at risk.”“China is already a major importer of Australian meat. We’re urging the minister to focus on this industry rather than putting the welfare of more Australian animals at risk.”
The trade with China could begin as soon as an exporter supply chain assurance scheme, or Escas, is in place. Escas lets exporters trace stock through the supply chain, and allows for independent audits of slaughter practices.The trade with China could begin as soon as an exporter supply chain assurance scheme, or Escas, is in place. Escas lets exporters trace stock through the supply chain, and allows for independent audits of slaughter practices.
Animal rights advocates have been critical of the effectiveness of the system, especially in light of instances of animal cruelty from established importer nations like Indonesia and Vietnam.Animal rights advocates have been critical of the effectiveness of the system, especially in light of instances of animal cruelty from established importer nations like Indonesia and Vietnam.
Related: Australian cattle 'are being slaughtered with sledgehammers in Vietnam'Related: Australian cattle 'are being slaughtered with sledgehammers in Vietnam'
“You’d think Barnaby Joyce would make sure his regulatory system worked before he went about expanding it. It defies logic and ethics to be sending animals to new countries when they are still being regularly abused in the old ones,” Chalk said.“You’d think Barnaby Joyce would make sure his regulatory system worked before he went about expanding it. It defies logic and ethics to be sending animals to new countries when they are still being regularly abused in the old ones,” Chalk said.
Guardian Australia has contacted Joyce’s office regarding the impending export deal.Guardian Australia has contacted Joyce’s office regarding the impending export deal.
The cattle industry has welcomed the announcement, labelling it a “game-changer”.The cattle industry has welcomed the announcement, labelling it a “game-changer”.
Alison Penfold from the Australian livestock exporters’ council said the expansion of the industry signified a growing of the “red meat pie”.Alison Penfold from the Australian livestock exporters’ council said the expansion of the industry signified a growing of the “red meat pie”.
“This is a protocol that establishes the trade to China for five, 10, 15 years,” she said. “We’re building a sustainable trade in cattle.”“This is a protocol that establishes the trade to China for five, 10, 15 years,” she said. “We’re building a sustainable trade in cattle.”
“China continues to be an essential market for Australian beef, having doubled its imports over the past six years,” president of the Cattle Council, Howard Smith, said.“China continues to be an essential market for Australian beef, having doubled its imports over the past six years,” president of the Cattle Council, Howard Smith, said.
• This article was amended on 22 July 2015 to remove the reference to the risk of parasites after RSPCA clarified its statement.