Sitting in the eye of the live trade storm are the nation’s sheep producers, particularly in West and South Australia.
So what will it mean to them if one of Australia’s largest export markets is halted?
Especially in WA which absorbs 87 per cent of Australia’s live sheep exports.
Craig and Helen Lubcke, Panorama, Darkan, are sheep and wool growers in Western Australia.
They are in the middle of a very late dry start, feeding their 9000 sheep every day – lupins one day, hay the next and turning off surplus stock to make room for the ewes that are just about to lamb. Losing any market affects their flexibility to handle their stock when adverse conditions occur.
If they lost their live trade market, the couple have estimated it would cost their business between $100,000 to $150,000 off their annual bottom line.
“But you also have to remember that is money you would spend on other things that would go around the community – that’s fencing, fertiliser, machinery, schools, and more,” Mr Lubcke said.
“I understand the industry needs to improve and we are confident that the McCarthy report and the steps the federal liberal government have in place will do this.”
Ms Lubcke said as farmers they feel that the divide between the city and the country is growing and more is needed to improve positive communication within all sectors.
“If there is a ban, even a three month ban, importers will source product from other countries that have lower standards and less regulations than Australia, so not improving animal welfare, simply shifting it out of sight.”
In an analysis by private firm Mecardo, commissioned by WA Farmers and Sheep Producers Australia, the potential price impact for WA producers of banning live sheep exports would see an additional 1.6 million head being processed in WA which could see prices decline between 18 to 35pc.
It also said based off the annual slaughter volumes for lamb and sheep within WA during the 2017 season, this price impact would equate to a potential loss of between $80 million and $150m to the industry.
Pastoralists and Graziers' Association (PGA) Livestock Committee chairman, Chris Patmore, Eneabba, said a ban on live sheep trade would have a devastating impact on the sheep industry, narrowing down the markets.
“Processors here in Australia have said they can pick up the slack, but obviously that is going to be at a much lower return for farmers,” Mr Patmore said.
He said a partial summer ban would almost be just as bad. “If buyers are not getting their livestock from us in the summer months, they will look for other places to source their sheep from. That market will be totally lost to us,” he said.
Mr Patmore said he has had conformation from Kuwait importers that if Australia doesn’t provide live sheep, they will look at sourcing their chilled meat from elsewhere.
