Herd of local people hits Melbourne’s streets to demand action from Labor on live exports

Text and photos courtesy of WSPA

















A herd of animal activists wearing sheep and cow shaped billboards delivered end live export petitions and the findings of a new live export public opinion poll to the offices of Martin Ferguson, MP for Batman and Michael Danby, MP for Melbourne Ports today.

The national Lonergan Research survey, was commissioned by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and reveals that over 77% of the Australian public believe live export is cruel, and 80% of the population believe the Labor Party should reconsider its support of the disgraced live export industry and embrace a transition to locally processed chilled meat export.

The protest is part of a nationwide program of local events co-ordinated by WSPA, which is calling on Labor MP’s to shift support away from live export, and transition to a chilled meat export trade when they meet for the national Labor Party Conference in December.
















Adam Valvasori, spokesperson for the group and Values Manager at The Body Shop said, “We’re here to let people know that live export is still happening. Australian cows and sheep are still being subjected to long, overcrowded and deadly transportation overseas; with the prospect of inhumane slaughter while fully conscious when they reach foreign abattoirs.

“Our local politicians need to know that the public still care about this national shame, so we’re presenting them with a humanechain.org.au petition, signed by over 800 people in Batman and 700 people in Melbourne Ports calling for an end to live export,” he concluded.
















Jodie Jankevics, campaign manager at WSPA said, “Over 100,000 Australians have signed the humanechain.org.au petition calling for an end to live export, and we know many Labor politicians feel that protecting Australian jobs and animals by supporting a transition to chilled meat export makes sense.

“Labor currently supports live export, but the December Labor Party conference gives MP’s the opportunity to vote for a planned transition away from live export, to the more humane and economically viable chilled meat trade.

“We are calling on Martin Ferguson, Michael Danby and the rest of the Labor Party to take a stand for common sense and compassion by supporting a change in party policy that will end this unethical and outdated trade,” she concluded.