New evidence further exposes live export regulation farce

Greens spokesperson for animal welfare Senator Lee Rhiannon has said fresh evidence of live export abuse aired on 7.30 is further proof that the Australian government's regulations are doing very little to end the enormous suffering of animals overseas.

"The unwillingness of the Australian government to administer criminal charges against offending export companies means we have seen yet another expose of animal cruelty on TV," said Senator Rhiannon.

"Live export regulations that act to protect animals from cruelty hold little worth unless they are administered correctly. Numerous courageous undercover investigations by Animals Australia have confirmed this.

"Instead, offending and re-offending exporters continue on without meaningful reprisal. The continuous abuse of the animals is so horrifying that even live exporter Wellard is calling for tougher penalties on its own industry.

"The Department of Agriculture must suspend the export licenses of offenders. The Department's inaction makes them complicit in every case of cruelty perpetuated by live export companies.

"The Greens will continue to push for criminal charges against offending exporters and for the longer term transition away from the live export trade towards domestic meat processing.

"Rebuilding the domestic meat manufacturing industry by opening up abattoirs across regional and rural Australia will create thousands of jobs and help secure a stronger place in the expanding international trade in processed meat," Senator Rhiannon said.