Australia’s beef cattle exports are worth $1.35 billion annually; dairy cattle exports are worth about $170 million, sheep exports are worth $250 million, and goats exports are valued at about $10 million.

Economic modelling conducted by ABARES and the Centre for International Economics has found that Australian livestock exports generate about 10,000 jobs across Australia and that a cessation of the trade would impose a net cost of about $300 million annually on Australian livestock producers.

Live cattle exports are a key economic activity which generates economic growth across northern Australia at a time when the development of this part of the nation is seen as an important element of future national economic development.