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Naveen
Supporting Organisations
Why is live sheep exports so important for our farmers
Each year sheep are exported to countries where they are used in breeding programs, to rebuild and improve flocks and for meat and protein. As such, sheep export provides a valuable market option for WA producers.
As well as providing a living for many Western Australian farmers, the trade supports many businesses, including feed suppliers and manufacturers, transport companies, shearers, veterinarians, exporters and livestock agents. These businesses have either emerged to support the sheep export industry or have grown in response to it and are largely dependent on the trade for their business. The trade plays a crucial role in underpinning the economic activity and social wellbeing of large parts of southern WA.
In the absence of live sheep exports, there is Insufficient sheep processing (abattoir) capacity in WA to support the production capacity of the WA sheep flock. As the major state supplying the live export trade, stopping exports would result in a reduction in price for WA farmers, a down turn in wool production and a rapid decline in sheep numbers.
In 2017/18, the live sheep trade contributed $209.3 million to the WA economy.
Stopping live exports will not improve animal welfare
Of the more than 100 countries exporting sheep, Australia is the only country regulating international animal welfare standards from the farm to the point of processing in overseas markets. The industry is positively influencing the actions of other countries by its presence in the market and investment in training and infrastructure.
Boxed meat is not a substitute for sheep – the supply of sheep and chilled or frozen meat often caters to distinct markets that are not interchangeable. Australian sheep is in demand due to logistical difficulties in delivering and storing meat (in some markets), cultural / religious preferences and its price. Strong demand remains from the Middle East for live Australian animals and when we can’t meet this demand, it is not filled by Australian boxed meat but by live animals from Sudan, Somalia, Eastern Europe and Asia – countries that do not share Australia’s commitment to animal welfare.
What is Wetbulb?
Wet-bulb temperature is measured using a standard mercury-in-glass thermometer, with the thermometer bulb wrapped in muslin, which is kept wet. The evaporation of water from the thermometer has a cooling effect, so the temperature indicated by the wet bulb thermometer is less than the temperature indicated by a dry-bulb (normal, unmodified) thermometer. The rate of evaporation from the wet-bulb thermometer depends on the humidity of the air - evaporation is slower when the air is already full of water vapour. For this reason, the difference in the temperatures indicated by the two thermometers gives a measure of atmospheric humidity.
Source: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/glossary/wetbulb.shtml
Wetbulb and Dry bulb temperature are recorded on live export vessels every 4 hours to monitor environmental conditions. If there has been a water leak or rain come onto an upper deck, the increase in wetbulb will be noted which reflects the increased humidity. This information is used to make management decisions and monitor certain areas of the vessel more closely.
The industry is trailing the use of more automated real time monitoring as it moves forward to provide even more detailed information about micro environments on certain decks.