Frequently asked questions

How many animals does Australia export for slaughter?
In 2006 Australia exported over 4, 045, 000 sheep, 618, 645 cattle and 25,353 goats.

Where does Australia export animals to?
Australian livestock are exported to 29 countries, primarily in the Middle East and Asia. Sheep are exported to the Middle Eastern countries of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The majority of cattle are sent to South East Asia, predominantly Indonesia although significant numbers, more than 119 000 in 2006, are sent to the Middle East. Live goats are sent to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines.

How long are the journeys?
Sheep exported to the Middle East can face a journey of up to 35 days from leaving the farm to arriving at their destination. Cattle Exported from Australia to South East Asia undertake sea voyage that lasts approximately 10 days.

How many animals die during transport?
Every year tens of thousands of sheep die on the ships before they reach the Middle East. In 2006 alone, 36,408 sheep died on sea voyages. Hundreds of cattle die each year on the sea voyage, and more succumb to illness and disease after arrival.

How do these animals die?
The majority of deaths recorded in the live sheep trade occur during the sea voyage and are caused by failure to eat the unfamiliar pellet diet which is their only source of food during the trip.

Salmonellosis, a condition aggravated by inadequate feed intake, is another common cause of death and so is physical trauma.

The Keniry report, which followed the Cormo Express disaster, found that the death of animals in the live export trade was directly linked to the stress of transportation.

Why does Australia export live animals?
Australia exports live animals to meet a demand for live animals for Halal slaughter. Australia, however, also exports chilled and/or frozen meat to every country it exports live animals to and has Halal-certified export slaughterhouses currently supplying high quality Halal meat the Middle East.

What is Halal slaughter?
Halal slaughter is done in accordance with strict Muslim requirements and involves slitting an animal’s blood vessels, respiratory tract and oesophagus so that death occurs from blood loss. In Australia, Islamic leaders have approved the use of electrical stunning to render the animal unconscious prior to slaughter thereby reducing the suffering experienced by the animal.

What is the Handle with Care coalition calling for?
The coalition is calling on the Australian Government to end the live export of animals for slaughter. In addition the coalition calls on the Government to work with industry and importing countries to expand the current trade in chilled and frozen meat from animals that have been humanely transported and slaughtered in Australia.