Australia is set to prohibit the export of live sheep by sea by May 2028, announced Australian Agriculture Minister Murray Watt.
The decision, part of the government's response to an independent report, aims to phase out the controversial practice gradually.
The timeline strikes a balance between transitional measures and commitments to animal welfare.
The government plans to offer a transitional support package worth AUD 107 million (USD 70.7 million) to assist affected companies.
Trading will continue until the ban's effective date without additional restrictions. However, the ban won't extend to other livestock export industries or live sheep exports by air.
The move comes as the industry has already started to reduce the trade. Government data shows a decline in live sheep exports by sea, with approximately 652,000 heads exported in 2022-2023 compared to 5.92 million twenty years ago.
Nevertheless, the National Farmers' Federation argues that the four-year timeline will severely impact farmers.
Tony Mahar, CEO of the Federation, criticized the decision, stating it echoes past policies regarding foreign sheep practices banned a decade ago.
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