Revelations that 50,000 live sheep are being shipped to Mexico highlights massive inconsistencies in the Government’s live animal export policy says the Green Party.Revelations that 50,000 live sheep are being shipped to Mexico highlights massive inconsistencies in the Government’s live animal export policy says the Green Party.
Revelations that 50,000 live sheep are being shipped to Mexico highlights massive inconsistencies in the Government’s live animal export policy says the Green Party.
“The Government’s live animal export policy is a farce and is currently in tatters. Decisions seem to be based on favours rather than rules,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw.
“I’m sure Saudi Arabia will be looking at the massive shipment to Mexico wondering how they managed to get so many sheep sent to them and why they could travel on a boat rather than a plane.
“The shipment to Mexico will be a diplomatic offence to Saudi Arabia.
“The Government is both shirking our animal welfare rules and treating trading partners differently. The whole situation is a mess.
“This Government is making up the rules up on live animal exports as they go. One day they are cutting dodgy deals on sheep to Saudi Arabia, the next they are cramming 50,000 sheep into potentially unsafe conditions on a two week boat trip to Mexico.
“It is just not believable that these 50,000 can all be looked after humanely over the two weeks of the trip. And it would be impossible for the Government to verify that no sheep are slaughtered when they disembark.
“The Government is skirting our ban on live animal exports for slaughter by sending sheep and then wilfully ignoring what happens to the sheep when they disembark.
“We need to stop this joke of a trade and foreign policy. The Government needs to uphold our live sheep export ban and apply it consistently to every country.”
