The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) says it has been flooded with emails and calls from members of the community outraged by the Australian government’s decision to resume live cattle exports to Indonesia.

The group maintains Senator John Ludwig’s announcement comes without any robust information on how animal welfare safeguards will be put in place, and before the Government’s own inquiry into the trade has been completed or released.

Jessica Borg, campaigns manager for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) said, “It seems the government has knee-jerked into a hasty politically-motivated decision that will ultimately benefit no-one. Sadly the Government seems to be switching from one band-aid solution to the next, rather than focusing on the long term.”

WSPA has been conducting a long-term campaign calling for a transition from live export to locally processed chilled meat export; an alternative that independent research says could deliver long-term sustainability and increased revenue for the Australian livestock industry and rural economy.

Ms Borg sai: “WSPA is not simply calling for a ban, we’re calling for the chilled meat trade to take the place of live exports. Economic analysis has shown that live exports actually cost Australia $1.5 billion in lost GDP, $270 million in lost household income and around 10,500 in lost jobs.”

“This approach is supported by the Labor Party in WA who voted at their recent party conference in support of a transition from live exports to a chilled meat trade, encouraging industry diversification and supporting a strong processing sector that in turn creates local jobs,” she said.