Leslie Massey
Australia has a history of exporting live sheep to Saudi Arabia, though this trade has been criticised due to animal welfare concerns and non-compliance with regulations imposed by the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS). In recent years, Australia has also exported camels to Saudi Arabia, with approximately 1 million feral camels roaming the central and western deserts of Australia. These camels were originally imported to Australia for transportation but were later released into the wild, leading to an increase in their population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animal | Camels, Sheep |
| History | Australia imported camels for transporting heavy loads or riding. After their work was done, they were let loose, causing an increase in their population. |
| Reason for Export | Camels are exported for consumption. Sheep are exported for meat. |
| Volume | 119 camels were exported in 2006. |
| Exporting Parties | The Central Australian Camel Association |
| Importing Parties | Saudi Arabia imports camels for consumption and racing. |
| Issues | Saudi Arabia has a history of impulsive rejections and animal welfare disasters. |
| Alternative | During the period of live export withdrawal, the frozen meat trade tripled. |
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What You'll Learn
- Camels are exported to Saudi Arabia for meat
- Camels were originally imported to Australia for transportation
- Sheep exports to Saudi Arabia have been criticised for animal welfare issues
- The live sheep export trade has been closed since 2012
- Sheep death rates on board ships have soared to an average of 6%
Camels are exported to Saudi Arabia for meat
Camels are exported from Australia to Saudi Arabia for meat. This is due to a spike in the camel population in Australia, which was caused by camels being released into the wild after being imported for transportation and riding. Camels are now being exported back to Saudi Arabia, where they are slaughtered for meat.
The history of live animal exports from Australia to Saudi Arabia has been riddled with animal welfare disasters and impulsive rejections. In 2012, the channel between Australia and Saudi Arabia was closed to the live export industry due to Saudi Arabia's refusal to comply with regulations imposed by the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS). Despite this, the trade resumed, and in 2006, Australia shipped 119 camels from Darwin to Saudi Arabia.
Camels have been a traditional part of the Muslim diet and are slaughtered during the Muslim pilgrimage, or Hajj, in Mecca. While camels still exist in Saudi Arabia, they are primarily bred for racing. As a result, the country has turned to Australia, which has the world's only remaining herds of wild camels, for meat imports.
The export of camels for meat has raised concerns among animal welfare organizations such as RSPCA Australia. They argue that the live sheep export trade is inherently cruel and risky, with a history of animal suffering. RSPCA Australia calls for an end to the trade and a transition to meat exports, where animals are humanely slaughtered in Australian facilities.
The Australian government and farmers, however, view the live export trade as an opportunity to boost the economy and create jobs, especially in rural and regional communities. They lobby for the trade to continue and celebrate the opening of new markets, despite the concerns raised by animal welfare organizations.
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Camels were originally imported to Australia for transportation
Camels were first introduced to Australia between 1860 and 1930, when Afghan cameleers were required to traverse the desert. These camels were used for transporting heavy loads or for riding. However, when motorised transport became more common, the camels were no longer needed for transportation. Rather than culling the camels, they were released into the wild. This led to an unwanted spike in the camel population, with approximately one million camels roaming the central and western deserts.
The decision to release the camels into the wild had unintended consequences. Without any natural predators, the camel population grew rapidly and began to cause environmental damage. In addition, camels began to compete with other herbivores for food and water, leading to a decline in some native species. This highlights the importance of understanding ecosystems and the delicate balance between different species.
To control the camel population, Australia began to capture and export feral camels to Saudi Arabia. This was seen as a more humane alternative to culling and provided an economic benefit to Australia. The export of camels to Saudi Arabia also addressed a demand for camel meat in the country. Camels have traditionally been part of the Muslim diet, with hundreds of thousands of camels slaughtered during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca each year.
However, the live export trade has been controversial due to concerns over animal welfare. There have been several incidents of ventilation breakdowns, high mortality rates, and rejected shipments due to alleged diseases. As a result, there have been calls for Australia to end the live export trade and instead focus on meat exports, where animals are humanely slaughtered in Australian facilities.
Despite the concerns, the trade between Australia and Saudi Arabia continues, with camels being a unique addition to the range of exotic meats that Australia provides.
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Sheep exports to Saudi Arabia have been criticised for animal welfare issues
The live sheep export trade is inherently risky, with a history of animal welfare disasters, including several major incidents over the last four decades. In 1983, a ventilation breakdown on a ship caused 70 sheep to die each day. In 1989-1990, Australian shipments were rejected due to alleged scabby mouth and other diseases, resulting in soaring death rates on board. In 1990, Saudi Arabia rejected a ship carrying 86,000 sheep, leading to delays in unloading and further animal suffering. In 2001, there were instances of shipments underreporting mortality rates.
The route to Saudi Arabia is a long and dangerous journey for sheep, with a high risk of heat stress and death. Once the sheep arrive in Saudi Arabia, they are no longer protected by Australian animal welfare laws and may face unacceptable handling, mistreatment, and inhumane slaughter practices. The RSPCA has warned that resuming live sheep exports to Saudi Arabia is likely to damage Australia's international reputation and the integrity of its animal welfare assurance schemes.
Instead of live exports, the RSPCA advocates for meat exports, where animals are humanely slaughtered in Australian facilities, providing jobs and an economic boost to rural communities. During the period when live exports to Saudi Arabia were halted, the frozen meat trade tripled, demonstrating its viability and acceptance.
The decision to resume trade with Saudi Arabia, a country with a history of animal welfare issues, has been criticised as questionable and high-risk. The Australian government's insistence on ESCAS compliance has been labelled as a "belligerent attitude" by some in the industry, while others argue that these standards are crucial for animal welfare. The contrasting perspectives highlight the ongoing debate surrounding animal welfare in the context of live sheep exports to Saudi Arabia.
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The live sheep export trade has been closed since 2012
Australia has a history of exporting live sheep to Saudi Arabia, but this trade has been closed since 2012. This is due to Saudi Arabia's refusal to comply with regulations imposed by the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS), which the country claimed would impact its sovereignty. The live sheep export industry has a questionable history, with Saudi Arabia at the centre of a concerning number of animal welfare incidents.
In the last forty years, there have been several major disasters, including a ventilation breakdown on the Mukairish Althaleth in 1983, which caused 70 sheep to die each day. In 1989-1990, several Australian shipments were rejected due to claims of scabby mouth and other diseases, despite examinations by an Australian veterinarian revealing no sign of disease. During this period, death rates on board ships soared to an average of 6%.
The Mawashi Al Gasseem, carrying 86,000 sheep, was rejected by Saudi Arabia in 1990, and the remaining 26,000 sheep were not unloaded until February 1991 when they were accepted by Jordan. In 2001, less than a year after trade resumed, there were at least three known instances of shipments to Saudi Arabia underreporting mortality rates.
The live sheep export trade is inherently risky and cruel, with repeated incidents of animal suffering. During the period that live export shipments were withdrawn from Saudi Arabia, the frozen meat trade tripled, providing clear evidence of a viable and acceptable alternative to live sheep exports.
Despite the closure of the live sheep export trade since 2012, Australia continues to export other live animals to Saudi Arabia, including camels. Camels were initially imported to Australia for transporting heavy loads or riding but were later released into the wild, causing an unwanted spike in their population. As a result, Australia now exports these feral camels to Saudi Arabia, where they are traditionally consumed as exotic meat.
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Sheep death rates on board ships have soared to an average of 6%
Australia exports camels and horses to Saudi Arabia. In 2006, Australia exported 119 camels to Saudi Arabia. The dromedary, one-humped camels from Australia are like draft horses, whereas Saudi camels are thoroughbreds. Camels are a traditional part of the Muslim diet, and hundreds of thousands are slaughtered during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca each year.
Saudi Arabia also imports sand from Australia, as its own sand is too smooth for construction.
In the past, Australia exported live sheep to Saudi Arabia. However, this trade has been closed since 2012 due to Saudi Arabia's refusal to comply with regulations imposed by the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS). In the forty years prior to the ban, there were several major disasters involving the live export of sheep to Saudi Arabia. For example, in 1983, a ventilation breakdown on a ship caused 70 sheep to die each day. In 1989-1990, several Australian shipments were rejected due to claims of scabby mouth and other diseases, although no signs of disease were found by an Australian veterinarian. During this period, death rates on board ships soared to an average of 6% as sheep waited on board ships outside ports or en route to alternative ports.
The live sheep export trade is inherently risky and has been described as cruel and unfixable. During the period that live sheep exports to Saudi Arabia were withdrawn, the frozen meat trade tripled.
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Frequently asked questions
Camels.
Camels were originally imported to Australia for transporting heavy loads or riding. When their work was done, they were let loose, causing an unwanted spike in their population.
They became feral and Australia now has approximately 1 million of them roaming its central and western deserts.
In 1960, the English explorer St. John Philby predicted that camels would disappear from Arabia in 30 years. While he was laughed at, his prediction largely came true as desert nomads settled down and replaced camels with modern forms of transportation. Camels have traditionally been part of the Muslim diet, and hundreds of thousands are slaughtered during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca each year. Saudi Arabia previously imported camels from North Africa, but began looking elsewhere due to disease, drought, and political instability.
Yes, Australia has a history of exporting live sheep to Saudi Arabia. However, this trade has been closed since 2012 due to Saudi Arabia's refusal to comply with regulations imposed by the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS).
