Greens' paper calls for move from live exports
THE Greens have backed calls for more abattoirs in northern Australia, but rather than complementing the live export trade, the left-wing party aims to replace it with boxed beef.
The party's New South Wales Senator Lee Rhiannon on Monday released a paper outlining the party's position on live animal exports.
While the paper supports proposals to develop more abattoirs across north Queensland, the Northern Territory and the Kimberley, it also calls on the government to "actively lobby for an end to subsidies and tariffs which favour the live export trade".
The party also recommends the government help boost training programs for indigenous Australians to work at the proposed abattoirs, and work with the industry to "transition away from live exports".
But the position paper was released just days after Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig re-emphasised his intention to keep the trade open.
In the past year, the government has put in place a stringent requirements to protect animal welfare within the welfare system, costing the industry millions in audits and infrastructure improvements.
The Greens move also comes after a growing number of Labor MPs have voiced their support for an end to live export.
