Live exports to the Middle East dwindling after Federal Government’s commitment

An average of about 700-thousand sheep has been exported live from Australia to the Middle East every year for the past five years. But with Australia set to ban live exports in 2028 that number is starting to fall. And that's worrying importers in our biggest export market. "It's very disturbing for us to end the business like that. We don't want to end up with a shortage of protein in this country and we have to explore our new markets. We opened South Africa, but not as efficient as Australia." The Federal Government is now offering support for farmers affected by the phase out of live export worth almost 140-million dollars. In a statement the Agriculture Minister, Julie Collins, said: "to enhance demand within Australia and internationally for Australian sheep products, including in Kuwait." 27 million dollars of the package is earmarked "to enhance demand within Australia and internationally for Australian sheep products, including in Kuwait." While global demand for boxed meat from Australia is on the rise - the demand in Kuwait is for live sheep. "I'm doing now chilled from Australia, but the demand is not matching at all because the people always, they need it to be fresh." Although public concern about the treatment of sheep on board export ships has contributed to the decision to ban the trade... Industry representatives fear global standards for animal welfare will fall without Australia in the market. "If we take ourselves out of the international market where there is demand for live animals, we're removing ourselves from the impact that we can have internationally on animal welfare." With live sheep exports from Australia already on the downturn Kuwaiti importers are now scrambling to find a replacement for live sheep to meet growing demand in the Middle East before the ban comes into force.