Statement on live export footage

• State Government continues investigation into potential animal cruelty charges related to August 2017 high mortality voyage
• Federal Government must improve and enforce live export animal welfare standards to restore public confidence in live exports  

A State Government investigation into breaches of Western Australia's animal welfare laws on an August 2017 live export voyage is continuing and will now include the footage aired on 60 Minutes last night.

In February, upon learning of the high mortality rate on the August 2017 voyage, Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan directed the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to investigate the voyage.

That followed advice from the State Solicitor General that State animal welfare laws apply on board live export ships, and that WA's legal obligations are not inconsistent with Federal laws regarding live export. Penalties for breaches of the WA Animal Welfare Act include a maximum fine of $250,000 for corporate entities and up to five years' imprisonment for individuals.

The WA Government is also calling on the Federal Government to update animal welfare standards on board live export vessels, and to seriously consider how basic welfare needs on voyages from Fremantle to Middle Eastern countries during their summer can be met.

The McGowan Government also supports the Federal Opposition's calls for a Federal Inspector General and Independent Office for Animal Welfare.

Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:

"The conditions shown in last night's 60 Minutes footage are completely unacceptable and Western Australians will be rightfully appalled.

"Decent welfare standards on live export voyages are absolutely critical to continued public confidence in the livestock industries and live export.

"We have been very concerned about Federal inaction, which is why we decided to use powers available to us under State laws to investigate this incident.

"We welcome any action from the new Federal Agriculture Minister on this issue but we do note that less than two weeks ago, his own department said there was no breach of standards on this voyage.

"The Federal Government needs to seriously consider if and how basic animal welfare requirements can be met when taking sheep on voyages from the Western Australian winter to the height of Middle Eastern summer.

"We will also continue to look at how to encourage more onshore meat processing, to get more value out of our livestock and create more jobs in Western Australian abattoirs."

Minister's office - 6552 6200