On 3 June 2024, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, wrote to the Committee requesting that it conduct an inquiry into the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024 and produce an advisory report by 21 June 2024. On 4 June 2024, the Committee commenced its inquiry and set a submissions closing date of 11 June 2024.
Background
The Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024 (the Bill) would amend the Export Control Act 2020 (the Act) to prohibit the export of live sheep by sea from Australia and to provide authority for Commonwealth spending on activities related to preparing for, or adapting or responding to, the phasing out of export of live sheep by sea.
The Act sets out the overarching legislative framework for the regulation of the export of goods, including food, agricultural products and live animals, from Australian territory.
The Bill would amend the Act to:
- prohibit absolutely the export from Australia of live sheep by sea on and after 1 May 2028;
- ensure that offences and civil penalties apply to a failure to comply with the prohibition on the export of live sheep by sea;
- allow the export of live sheep by air to continue;
- allow the export of all other livestock, by sea or by air, to continue (including the export of live cattle); and
- provide authority for Commonwealth spending to assist individuals, businesses and communities in relation to preparing for, or adapting or responding to the phasing out of the export of live sheep by sea, including sheep producers and sheep supply chain businesses.
Further information about the Bill, including the Explanatory Memoranda can be found on the Parliament’s website.
The Committee is seeking written submissions to the inquiry by Tuesday 11 June 2024. Information that may assist in preparing a submission to the Committee can be viewed here.
If you have any questions about the inquiry or the process of making a submission, please contact the secretariat on Agriculture.reps@aph.gov.au.