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Decision on how and when
The Australian Government has announced the export of live sheep by sea will end on 1 May 2028.
The Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Act 2024 came into effect on 10 July 2024.
Trade can continue until 1 May 2028 without any additional restrictions such as caps or quotas. The prohibition will not apply to other livestock export industries, such as live cattle exports, nor will it apply to live sheep exports by air.
The then Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, announced the decision on 11 May 2024 together with the release of the government response to the report of the Independent Panel and a transition support package.
Transition plan
The government response to the report of the independent panel has set out a transition plan to support the phase out of live sheep exports by sea. It sees:
- the implementation of the election commitment based on independent advice
- the provision of certainty and time for the transition through a legislated end date to the trade on 1 May 2028
- $107 million in support for the transition away from the trade
- support for the implementation of recommendations through existing government programs in key areas like labour and competition
- ongoing management of and measures to enhance sheep welfare
- transition oversight by the Transition Advocate and continued monitoring and engagement with domestic stakeholders and trading partners
- regulatory requirements for live sheep by sea exports remaining in place and while trade continues until 1 May 2028.
Further explanation of the transition plan in the context of the legislation is set out in the department’s submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture inquiry on the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024.
Transition support package
The Australian Government has committed $107 million over 5 years from 2024-25 for transition support for the phase out.
$64.6 million to assist sheep producers and the supply chain, particularly in Western Australia, to capitalise on existing and emerging opportunities so that they are well positioned when the trade ends.
$27.0 million to enhance demand within Australia and internationally for sheep products to maintain and develop market opportunities.
$2.6 million to continue to improve sheep welfare standards
$1.7 million to appoint a Transition Advocate
$11.1 million for the implementation of the phase out
Early action is being encouraged by the provision of funding now. The government wants to ensure those affected by the phase out are well-positioned, resilient and ready when the trade ends in 2028.
For more information see the Budget fact sheet.
Social support and wellbeing
We understand the phase out may be distressing for some people.
There are many existing online, phone and face-to-face resources available.
Producers and businesses can access Australian Government help in hard times and to prepare for change.
Call the Rural Financial Counselling Service on 1300 771 741 or find your nearest service provider online to learn more.
You can also get assistance to make or update your farm business plan through the Future Drought Fund’s Farm Business Resilience Program. We are jointly running the program across Australia with each state and territory.
Farmers and their partners in hardship can call the Farmer Assistance Hotline 13 23 16 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm local time) for information about Farm Household Allowance.
Social support and wellbeing services are available nationally including:
- family support services
- crisis counselling
- advice and referrals.
The Western Australian government also provides information about WA rural support services.
The Independent Panel
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt appointed an Independent Panel to consult with stakeholders to provide advice on how and when the government should phase out live sheep exports by sea.
Panel members were selected based on their diverse set of skills and experiences. This includes in agriculture, public administration, economics, and animal welfare.
From March to October 2023, the panel met with over 2,000 people and received over 4,100 submissions and survey responses. Consultation did not consider the merits or otherwise of the government’s policy to phase out live sheep exports by sea.
A summary of the consultation process and copies of information considered are available to view on the Have Your Say page.
The Independent Panel provided its report Independent Panel Report: Phase Out of Live Sheep Exports by Sea to the government on 25 October 2023.
The Minister and Independent Panel thank all stakeholders who provided input into how and when the phase out could be implemented.
The panel members
Mr Phillip Glyde has 42 years’ experience as a senior executive in the Australian Public Service. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr Glyde has been devoted to matters of critical importance for the nation, navigating complex and often contested policy areas.
He brings a wealth of experience in advising governments, an economics background, and a strong understanding of the agricultural sector.
As the former Chief Executive Officer of the Murray Darling Basin Authority from 2016 to 2021, Mr Glyde delivered significant reforms in challenging circumstances including the Northern Basin review, the 2020 Basin Plan Evaluation and regionalisation of the MDBA.
Prior to leading the MDBA, Mr Glyde was the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Executive Director of ABARES.
He has worked on natural resource management, industry and environmental policies in a number of other departments, including Prime Minister and Cabinet, Environment, and Resources and Energy.
His overseas appointments include the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, and the United Kingdom Cabinet Office and Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Mr Glyde has a Bachelor of Natural Resources with Honours from the University of New England and a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University.
The Hon Warren Snowdon is a former federal minister with over 30 years’ experience in government. Having served more than three decades as a representative for the Northern Territory, Mr Snowdon brings significant understanding and connection to the Australian agriculture industry and rural and regional communities.
During his time in the Australian Parliament, Mr Snowdon held several ministerial portfolios, including being the first to take the role of Minister for Indigenous Health and was, for a time, also responsible for Rural and Regional Health and Regional Service Delivery. He was also Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Minister for Veterans Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of ANZAC.
Mr Snowdon served as Parliamentary Secretary and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary on matters including regional and urban development; employment, education and training; environment, sport and territories; transport and infrastructure (Northern Australia and the Territories); Northern Australia; and Indigenous affairs.
Before serving in the Australian Parliament, Mr Snowdon worked as a public servant including in the Department of Primary Industry and the Department of Trade; as a teacher in the Northern Territory; and for a time was employed as a researcher at the Australian National University, before joining the Central Land Council in Alice Springs immediately prior to entering Parliament in 1987.
Ms Sue Middleton is a farmer and respected agribusiness leader.
Ms Middleton and her husband Michael have developed Moora Citrus. She is a Director on the Moora Citrus group of companies, which leads the WA citrus production and export program.
Ms Middleton has held extensive board and leadership roles in agriculture and regional development for over three decades. Her experience includes the Council of Australian Governments Reform Council, the National Regional Women’s Advisory Council, the Australian Research Council, and the National Rural Advisory Council. She has also been a Commissioner on the WA Agricultural Produce Commission.
She is a passionate advocate for regional Western Australia and has a deep understanding of government policy, agribusiness and the regional development sector.
Ms Middleton was the national winner of the Australian Rural Women’s Award in 2010, where she focussed on highlighting the importance of agriculture tackling greenhouse gas emissions. She won the Centenary Medal for services to regional and rural Australia in 2002 and was inducted into the Western Australia Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018.
Ms Heather Neil is an experienced CEO and Executive Director with a deep understanding of community governance, animal welfare science and advocacy. She has extensive experience in public policy, regulation and reform in the area of social change.
Prior to this appointment, Ms Neil was Chief Executive Officer of RSPCA Australia for 12 years, taking a leading role in advocating for positive change for the welfare of animals in Australia. She also served as the Director of Stewardship at CropLife Australia for four years.
Ms Neil is currently the Executive Director at TrackSAFE Foundation, a charity focused on reducing deaths, injuries and near hits on Australia’s rail networks.
Resources
Download
Phase Out of Live Sheep Exports by Sea: Independent Panel Report 2023 (PDF 5.6 MB)
Phase Out of Live Sheep Exports by Sea: Independent Panel Report 2023 (DOCX 6.0 MB)
Australian Government Response to the Independent Panel Report (PDF 1.3 MB)
Australian Government Response to the Independent Panel Report (DOCX 3.1 MB)
Phase out of live sheep exports by sea transition plan (PDF 272 KB)
Phase out of live sheep exports by sea transition plan (DOCX 55 KB)
Budget 2024-25 fact sheet - Phase Out of Live Sheep Exports by Sea - transition support (PDF 957 KB)
Budget 2024-25 fact sheet - Phase Out of Live Sheep Exports by Sea - transition support (DOCX 701 KB)
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry submission to the House Committee Inquiry (PDF 917 KB)
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry submission to the House Committee Inquiry (DOCX 3.3 MB)
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.
Contact us
To contact us please email livesheep.phaseout@aff.gov.au