THE Nationals, on both a state and federal level, along with farming groups have again called on the federal government to rescind its decision to ban live sheep exports, rejecting an increase in the funding package for the industry.

The Nationals federal leader David Littleproud earlier this week reiterated that a future coalition government will reinstate the live sheep export trade, following Labor’s announcement of ‘extra funding’ for the ‘transition’ to phase out the trade.

Mr Littleproud said the extra $32.7 million shouldn’t be there in the first place.

“Farmers don’t want compensation, they want their industry,” Mr Littleproud said.

“If they’re not in the industry, there will be the senseless death of millions of sheep from those countries who take up this market, that don’t have our animal welfare standards.

“The Nationals support our farmers and our live sheep export trade and will ensure our live sheep trade returns under a future Coalition Government.

“In fact, if elected, as future Agriculture Minister, one of the first things I will do is travel to the Middle East to bring back confidence and restore trade relationships to those who seek our world-class live sheep from Australia.

“This funding is disingenuous and a mere PR exercise.

“It does nothing to help the 3000 farmers who have had their livelihoods taken away.

“Since Labor’s previous announcement for a transition package of $107m, which included just $64.6m for sheep producers and the supply chain side, not one cent has gone to helping our live sheep farmers.”

Mr Littleproud said live sheep exports from Australia also increased from 380,000 in 2022 to more than 654,000 in 2023, but the WA flock was now decreasing from 12 million and expected to drop to eight million by 2025, with the state likely to start seeing the closure of abattoirs.

Liberal candidate for Bullwinkel Matt Moran, who has been meeting outraged farmers around Bullwinkel and travelled to Canberra for the Keep the Sheep rally, said farmers feel rejected by Labor.

“Farmers are understandably livid about the proposed ban and they are worried about the devastating impact it will have on our rural communities.

“Labor are set to destroy an industry to try and win inner city votes – it’s politics at its worst.”

Meanwhile, Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) chief executive officer Mark Harvey-Sutton has rejected claims the organisation was involved in the design of the compensation package.

“ALEC has stood shoulder to shoulder with farmers since this reckless policy was first introduced and we remain resolute that the repeal of this legislation is the only reasonable course of action,” Mr Harvey-Sutton said.

“The minister claims to be listening to farmers.

“If she were listening, she would hear loud and clear that transition is unwelcome, both domestically and with our trading partners, who will continue to require livestock.

“The government cannot buy its way out of this appalling policy decision, and it should reverse the ban.

Keep the Sheep’s Ben Sutherland said his group did not want government handouts or their help.

“We just want them to get out of the way and let us get on with the job,’’ he said.