Ending the live export trade was high on our list of priorities when the Australian Federation of Animal Societies was founded. The trade was then relatively new and the number of sheep exported, especially to the Middle East, was growing rapidly. On every ship, some sheep succumbed to the heat, confinement, and stress of the long voyage. They were the lucky ones because they avoided even greater agony after reaching their destination.

Almost 40 years, and many broken commitments later, the ALP promised that it would phase out the live export of sheep by sea. In line with that promise, the Albanese government has appointed an independent panel to consider how and when to phase out the export of live sheep by sea. For the sheep, and for Australia’s reputation, that day cannot come too soon.