Press Release

The livelihood of thousands of West Australian livestock producers will be strongly defended by the Pastoralists and Graziers Association in Broome tomorrow when PGA President Rob Gillam and Vice President Ruth Webb-Smith appear before a Senate Committee Hearing looking into aspects of the livestock export trade.

Several other Kimberley pastoralists including PGA Kimberley Division Chair Jim Motter will also join Mr Gillam and Ms Webb-Smith at the Senate Rural Affairs and Transport Committee’s Inquiry into Animal Welfare Standards in Australia’s Live Export Markets, which was set up following the recent suspension of cattle exports to Indonesia.

“The PGA will be taking this opportunity to put on the public record the truth about the importance of livestock exports to West Australian pastoralists and farmers and how it is the industry which continues to strive for the most stringent animal welfare standards not the animal liberation groups,” Mr Gillam said.

“The PGA is committed to ensuring the future of the livestock export trade, which is often the only income for many WA pastoralists, livestock farmers and Indigenous communities.”

“We will be ensuring that the public will finally see the truth about how important the livestock industry is to the lives of thousands of West Australian families and businesses.”

Fast Facts on the Live Export Trade and Western Australia

• WA supplies approximately 75% of Australia’s exports of live sheep, about 2.5 million head, which generates an export income up to $275million

• WA supplies approximately 40% of Australia’s exports of live cattle, about 390,000 head were exported in 2009-10, which generates an export income up to $330million

• There are 1,045 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs in northern WA associated with the live export trade and 1,672 FTEs in southern WA (MLA 2007)

• There are 12,924 jobs in the Australian live export industry with wages and salaries amounting to $987million (CIE 2011).