MEDIA RELEASE Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup Council Opposes Live Sheep Export Ban

Published on Thursday, 20 June 2024 at 8:00:00 PM

MEDIA RELEASE

Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup Council Opposes Live Sheep Export Ban

The Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup Council have unanimously voted to oppose the federal government’s plan to end live sheep exports by 1 May 2028. 

In response to the introduction of the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024 (Bill), the Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup partnered with neighbouring shires in the region comprising Katanning, Woodanilling, Kojonup, Gnowangerup, Cranbrook, and Jerramungup and commissioned a report to measure the economic impact to the region. The report, which the Council voted to release and can be accessed here, identified that over a 20-year period, in present dollars, the economic impact on the region was in the range of $474.9 million to $1 billion.

President Michael White stated “that the reliance on sheep for farm income by primary producers within the Broomehill-Tambellup Shire indicates that it will be one of the most affected Shires within the state. Along with it being a major source of employment within the region, our dependence on all facets of the sheep industry would suggest that we as a Shire, need to actively oppose the banning of the live sheep export”.

President White also spoke of the impact to the Shire’s community at the Standing Committee for the Inquiry into the Bill at Muresk on 14 June 2024. The Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup and the neighbouring shires, known as the Central Great Southern Alliance, provided a submission to the Inquiry which outlined the significant economic and social impact on the community. The submission, which can be accessed here, called for urgent action to implement a more equitable transition package, and establish an investment fund to support economic development for the region.

The Shire, as part of the Central Great Southern Alliance, will now write to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reiterating its opposition to banning live sheep exports and to ensure the community’s future is secured. 

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Further information may be obtained by contacting Karen Callaghan on 9825 3555 or mail@shirebt.wa.gov.au