Federal government bolsters offer to WA sheep farmers hit by live export ban by $32 million
The Federal Agriculture Minister has used her first trip to WA since taking on the portfolio to offer more money to sheep farmers. But the funding has done little to sooth those impacted by the Federal Government's phase-out of live sheep exports by May 2028.
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00:00Great Southern farmer Robert Davey has been selling his sheep to live exporters for decades,
00:07but the option is slowly disappearing.
00:10The confidence of the live sheep carriers has gone out the door.
00:17There isn't the companies around as much, so that makes it difficult.
00:23In May, the federal government announced plans to end live sheep exports by 2028, promising
00:29$107 million to help the industry transition, a figure quickly labelled inadequate by both
00:36the industry and the WA government.
00:41The federal minister says she's listened, using her first trip to WA since taking on
00:46the agriculture portfolio to visit a Bunbury abattoir, and announce an extra $32 million
00:52to increase onshore processing and find new markets.
00:56We want to work collaboratively and listen to the farmers in Western Australia and people
01:02along the supply chain about how do we take advantage of this.
01:05Here are some great opportunities for what is a growing market.
01:09Some industry groups have welcomed the extra funding, but say it won't stop their campaign
01:14against the ban.
01:15I don't think there'd be too many farmers looking for a handout because of this transition.
01:22I think we would prefer to keep the live export business going.
01:28In a statement, the WA agriculture minister said while it's pleasing to see some additional
01:33funding announced, the state government does not support the live export ban and will continue
01:39to advocate for the industry's needs.