Live export backs critical service status calls for ag amid fuel crisis

Australia’s $1.3 billion livestock export industry is under increasing pressure as conflict in the Middle East continues to unfold, according to Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) Chief Executive Officer Mark Harvey-Sutton.

While welcoming yesterday’s National Cabinet decision to support a National Fuel Security Plan, Mr Harvey-Sutton said it was critical that the plan recognised the food supply chain as a `critical service’ and echoed calls by the National Farmers Federation to secure fuel supplies and safeguard food production in the short and medium term.

“It’s imperative that the Federal Government puts measures in place to ensure livestock producers, transporters and exporters have sufficient access to fuel supplies to continue their day-to-day operations,” Mr Harvey-Sutton said.

The live export industry supports over 13,000 direct and indirect jobs, more than 60 per cent of which are in northern Australia’s regional, rural and Indigenous communities.

Any slowdown in the live export industry would have a significant economic impact on northern Australia with every dollar generated by the Northern Territory’s cattle industry generating an additional 50 cents of benefit to the broader Territory economy.

It could also have ramifications internationally, with the potential to affect food security in some of Australia’s key export markets.

As paddocks and roads across northern Australia begin to dry out after a lengthy wet season, producers and exporters will be looking to move large numbers of livestock over the coming months.

This coincides with increased demand from key markets such as Indonesia who will be looking to restock feedlots following the end of Ramadan.

Traditionally, the April-June period is one of the busiest times for live exporters with around 60,000 head of cattle shipped per month.

“We have of course also seen shipments to the Middle East impacted by the conflict and the fuel crisis.” Mr Harvey-Sutton said.

“Australia has an enviable reputation as a trusted trade partner and reliable supplier of high-quality livestock that are produced to the highest animal welfare standards in the world. It’s a reputation the industry is very proud of and it needs to be protected.

“We’re united with the broader Australian agricultural sector in urging the Government to safeguard animal welfare, Australia’s strategic trade relationships and global protein supplies through a coordinated intervention to prioritise fuel access and affordability for our food supply chains.”