A former animal rights campaigner, retired Labor MP and a Western Australian farmer will advise the federal government about how to shut down the export of live sheep, as farmers appeal the ban.
Federal Labor made a pre-election commitment to end the trade but is yet to say when the last ship carrying live sheep will be permitted to sail from an Australian port.
Today, federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt will announce the appointment of an independent panel to undertake a six-month consultation process and report about how and when it must stop live sheep exports by sea.
It will be chaired by the former Murray-Darling Basin boss Phil Glyde and include West Australian farmer Sue Middleton, former RSPCA chief executive Heather Neil and recently retired Northern Territory Labor MP Warren Snowdon.
Ms Neil led RSPCA Australia for 12 years, where she lobbied for a ban on live sheep exports, while Mr Snowden has a reputation for advocating on behalf of the live cattle trade.
Senator Watt said the panel would provide important recommendations after consulting with "all interested stakeholders".
"My priority is to ensure the phase-out occurs in an orderly way, with consultation and proper planning," he said.
"Farmers and other industry participants need time to prepare and that's why the phase-out won't take effect during this term of parliament."
Farm sector unites in ban appeal
Ahead of the panel's appointment, livestock industry groups rallied together to appeal the ban, an election policy commitment first publicly announced by animal rights activists.
This week, a letter to Senator Watt signed by 25 peak industry groups including the National Farmers' Federation, Cattle Australia and WoolProducers Australia, argued the ban "represents a red line that cannot be crossed".
The letter, seen by the ABC, said a ban would be detrimental to rural communities and international markets.
"We will never support legitimate agricultural industries being closed for political reasons or to suit activist agendas" the letter stated.
"It would set a dangerous and concerning precedent for the government to prioritise activist agendas over recognising the overwhelming evidence reform and improvement, Activists will not stop at just the live sheep industry."
Green Senator Mehreen Faruqi described the comments as an attempt to bully the government into a backflip.
"The industry is right on one thing though: Animal welfare campaigners won't stop at just the live sheep industry," Senator Faruqi said.
"Live animal export should be shut down entirely, as New Zealand is doing. It is simply incompatible with animal welfare."
In 2021-22, Australia exported 489,00 sheep – all from Western Australia — with the trade valued at $85 million.
Earlier this week, West Australian Labor's agriculture minister, Jackie Jarvis, appeared to concede the ban would go ahead.
"I have pushed the issue as hard as I can, but we are now at the point where [Federal Agriculture Minister] Murray Watt has said that this is happening," Ms Jarvis said.
"We have to agree to disagree."
The independent panel must report to government by September 30.
