Debate resumed, on motion by Ms Saffin:

That the House:

(1)

notes:

(a)

that the Commonwealth is responsible for regulating the export of live animals, and for negotiating the arrangements and conditions that apply to the export of both live animals and chilled or frozen meat;

(b)

that the current tariff barriers that apply in some countries to chilled or frozen meat exports mean that there is not a level playing field between the two forms of export;

(c)

that the Commonwealth has consistently campaigned for a reduction in tariffs on all agricultural exports;

(d)

the national and international concerns about the welfare of animals transported under the live animal export trade, both during transportation and at their destination, have been raised and substantiated in campaigns by organisations and individuals including the World Society for the Protection of Animals, Stop Live Exports, Princess Alia of Jordan, the RSPCA and the Barristers Animal Welfare Panel; and

(e)

that Australia is one of few countries that consistently treats animals humanely during slaughter and that Australian chilled or frozen meat has gained wide acceptance in the Middle East for its quality and observance of halal and kosher standards;

(2)

acknowledges the opposition of the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union and the local meat processors to the live export trade on the grounds that the live export trade has a detrimental effect on the local meat processing industry, affecting jobs and the Australian economy;

(3)

calls for renewed consideration of a planned and supported transition in the medium term away from live exports and towards an expanded frozen and chilled meat export industry; and

(4)

asks that Austrade be encouraged to be involved in negotiations to increase exports in frozen and chilled meat.

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