The cruelty inherent in the live export of dairy cows

In this Member’s Statement, Amanda Dorn raised serious concerns about the ongoing risks and cruelty inherent in the live export trade, using the recent voyage of the Ganado Express as a clear example.

The vessel departed Fremantle on 24 April after loading cattle in both Portland and Fremantle and travelled to Türkiye via the Cape of Good Hope, a route expected to leave some animals confined at sea for more than six weeks.

Amanda highlighted the heat stress, prolonged confinement and exhaustion endured by animals on these voyages, while also raising concerns that breeder dairy cattle exported live are not covered by ESCAS, the regulatory system supposedly designed to protect animals exported from Australia.

The statement argued that no amount of paperwork, contingency planning or government approvals could eliminate the risks associated with long sea voyages, shipping disruption or geopolitical instability once animals were loaded onboard.

Amanda criticised the broader live export system for continuing to expose sentient animals to avoidable suffering and reiterated calls for a legislated 35°C maximum loading temperature as a minimum safeguard.

The statement concluded with a call for Australia to end live export altogether.