I would prefer if live export ended on the grounds of animal welfare. Meanwhile keep video surveillance of all the small and large slaughter facilities in Middle East. Blacklist any that don't meet Australian standards. I gather the need for local slaughter is based on religious beliefs to which I'd point out we're now in the 21st century not the dark ages.

It beggars belief that exporters affected by the 2011 ban got compensation. The ban saved them from public anger and they should be thankful. I understand new abattoirs are springing up in Australian rural areas and they can be the source of packaged meat for export

I can't remember agreeing with anything that the Gillard government did - except for its stopping of live animal transport to foreigners because of their odious religion.

Further, one of the very few good services the ABC ever provided, was the footage revealing the horrible treatment of terrified animals.

I eat meat. I'm no sentimental animal lover; nor am I a barbarian, and live animal transport on ships - when processing could be done in Australia to provide jobs - is barbaric.

Shame on the Federal Court for reinstating the practice.

I believe that you don't have to be “elements of the media, the unions, and the left wing of Australian politics” to be appalled by the live animal trade. No “excuse” is needed to ban something that started in a less enlightened Australia in 1829.

Claiming that stopping the cruelty of live animal transport is the same as trying to close down coal, gas, and nuclear industries, and mining, is political bullsh–t of the highest order.

Factually wrong. Meat can be cyovaced then irradiated with nuclear waste products, transgenics that have high rads.

This will preserve meat, fish, fowl, fruit, nuts and vegetables and keep them fresh as the day they were killed/picked/harvested for a hundred years or more without refrigeration. And able to be stored until premium prices prevail.

And unavailable because we stupidly don't have a nuclear industry. Cyovaced meat will last for weeks, but not for months. With refrigeration. (up to) (a) year(s) or more?

There was a problem with the live trade that has since been sorted. We cannot control beyond transport as we have no control over the buyer's actions. Or demonstrably cruel cultural beliefs that have persisted for a thousand years or more.
Alan B.