The Tasmanian Greens today reiterated their position on banning live export of livestock at the “Ban Live Export Rally” in Hobart, in response to an outstanding community response whereby 10,000 Tasmanians banded together and signed the recent Get Up petition calling for an end to this practice.
Greens Primary Industry spokesperson Kim Booth MP said this outdated practice of exporting livestock not only appals and offends the community, it also has direct and serious implications under the Animal Welfare Act 1993, which is another reason why the Greens tabled this issue as a Matter of Public Importance in Parliament recently.
“It was great to see the community support at the rally today, strengthening the message of a recent petition organised by Get Up that was signed by approximately 10,000 concerned citizens who find this outdated practice repugnant,” Mr Booth said.
“The Greens moved for a ban on live exports in 2003 but were defeated by the Liberal and Labor parties voting in lock-step.”
“No reasonable person could accept the live export of animals destined for off-shore slaughter-houses, and we are calling for an immediate ban on the live export of Tasmanian livestock, as well as an investigation into the economic benefits of meat processing on-shore so this out-dated practice ends with a positive jobs growth for Tasmania,” Mr Booth said.
