As a result of an immediate and overwhelming public outcry, the Australian Government placed a ban on live animal export to Indonesia until “the Government establishes sufficient safeguards to ensure there is verifiable and transparent supply chain assurance (of animal welfare) up to and including the point of slaughter for every consignment leaving Australia.” 
 

The Australian Government, however, lifted the suspension of live animal trade to Indonesia in July 2011, without any guarantee that animals will be treated with respect and care and that they will at least be stunned before slaughter. Given that this trade has been going on for more than eighteen years and that the cattle and meat industry report that they have been working with Indonesian slaughterhouses during this time to improve animal welfare conditions, it is difficult to believe that animal welfare standards will now be enforced.

Animal welfare groups within Australia as well as several independent Members of Parliament and the Australian Green Party are advocating for a total ban on live animal exports from Australia. This includes sending animals to the Middle East where slaughtering practices are as horrific as those in Indonesia.

Over the past three decades, more than 160 million animals have been sent from Australia to a grim fate in the live export trade. If you would like to support the campaign to end live animal export from Australia, please write to the Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, c/- Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia.

A sample letter is provided here, in Word format so you can alter it.

Alternatively, send the email letter on the campaign website to end this shocking treatment of animals:  http://www.banliveexport.com/