Federal Government-appointed independent panel visits Geraldton and listens to Mid West on live sheep exports

A Federal Government decision to phase out live sheep exports is “torpedoing” an industry based on emotions and opposition from the “woke” set, a public forum in Geraldton was told this week, with businesses in the Mid West already feeling the brunt. Almost 100 frustrated farmers and other stakeholders in the live sheep trade attended a public forum in Geraldton on Monday, airing their concerns on the phase-out to the government-appointed independent panel, which is tasked with recommending the best way to end live exports. Rising production costs, sourcing international markets, mental health, losing families and workers in regional WA, money compensation and expanding meat processing facilities in WA were some of the issues raised at the forum. People said the industry was being crucified by a city-centric crowd who have no idea about this sector and how it operated. Nutrien Ag Solutions livestock agent Chad Smith from Northampton said the industry was an integral part of the community and the decision to ban live sheep exports was based purely on base voters. “Our mortality rates are below farm rates and they’ve come in with a social licence and said we’re going to ban an industry that everyone relies on,” he said. “It’s an emotional decision that people don’t like in our woke coffee strips . . . I don’t see how they can torpedo an industry based on social licence.” Northampton farmer Jerome Drew said the ramifications were felt widely and there would be flow-on effects to other industries, including wheat. “Our sheep value has already crashed in the last 12 months or so. It’s taken a real dive,” he said. “There’s already two livestock trucking companies that have seen the future and said ‘the future’s not bright’ so they’re not going to base someone in Geraldton.” Mr Drew said delaying the changes would allow the industry to build the facilities needed to process meat locally and ensure people remained in the industry. “In 15 years, things might have improved and we might have the facilities to handle killing sheep here and selling boxed meat,” he said. “Maybe we will have the markets, maybe parts of Europe or Africa will want to buy our meat.” Panel chair Phillip Glyde said the community’s frustration with the decision was clear and the majority of stakeholders felt the phase-out was decided unfairly. “We heard from the farmers who rely on having live export, we also heard from people who don’t currently export live sheep but they see it as a valuable method for ensuring there’s competition in the domestic market and as an escape valve should they be caught with a bad season,” he said. “They’re worried about the impact it’s going to have on supporting industries like sheering, feedlotting and diesel mechanics but then onto the flow on affects particularly in towns where if people stop farming and they leave the town, then what happens to the fabric of that community — the sporting clubs, the number of teachers in town and the medical services.” A poll commissioned by the RSPCA found 71 per cent of 800 West Australians surveyed were in favour of winding up the export of live sheep by sea. The panel’s tour across WA wraps up at the end of this week. It is set to report to the Federal Government, advising how and when to phase out, by September 30.