The export of live sheep by sea from Australia will end on 1 May 2028, with legislation enacting the phase out to be introduced in this term of Parliament.
A $107 million Federal transition support package for the Australian sheep industry will support the phase out of live sheep exports by sea.
While the live sheep export industry has been in decline for many years, down from $415m in 2002-03 to $77m in 2022-23, the demand for processed sheepmeat both here and overseas has been rapidly expanding.
This presents an opportunity for more processing to occur onshore in Western Australia, which will mean more local jobs.
The $107 million in transition support includes:
- $64.6 million to assist sheep producers and the supply chain, particularly in Western Australia, to capitalise on existing and emerging opportunities so that they are well positioned when the trade ends. Funding will assist businesses to plan and implement transition actions and to expand domestic sheep processing capacity. It will also support community wellbeing activities and rural financial counsellors.
- $27.0 million to enhance demand within Australia and internationally for sheep products to maintain and develop market opportunities. With a range of delivery partners, including Austrade, this will fund activities such as market analyses, consumer studies, product promotions and building business relationships. Agricultural counsellors and Austrade will also work to support diverse trade to and relationships in the Middle East and North Africa region.
- $2.6 million to continue to improve sheep welfare standards so that they are practical and meet community expectations and for Australia to enhance its engagement in the World Organisation for Animal Health.
- $1.7 million to appoint a Transition Advocate to facilitate two-way communication between industry and government, provide information to industry about the transition plan and support, and provide advice to government on how the transition is progressing.
- $11.1 million for the implementation of the phase out, including a stocktake of transition progress in 2026-27 and to facilitate ongoing engagement with industry, communities, trading partners and other stakeholders.
Further details about the transition support programs will be released early in the second half of the year.