Friday June 27, 2008, 1:31 am
In 2007 alone, 3.7 million Australian sheep were sent to the Middle East for slaughter. These animals endured a long and gruelling journey by both road and sea. Over 35,000 of them died during the sea voyage from heat-exhaustion, infection, injury and disease.

Animals that survive the live export journey are off-loaded in countries with no, or unenforced, animal welfare laws. Here they are often handled, transported and slaughtered in ways that would be illegal in Australia.

Australia has a significant and growing trade in chilled and frozen meat, and currently exports meat to every country it sends live animals to. This alternative trade ensures that animals are transported and slaughtered humanely within Australia.

An end to the live export trade is the only way to ensure that millions of animals are protected. Please print and post a letter to the Australian Embassy calling for an end to the live export of animals for slaughter.

Please take a moment to write to your local Australian Embassy. To give your letter the best chance of being noticed, include some of your own points to the sample letter we have prepared.

I live in a district where the sheep are sent from - it breaks my heart to see the loaded trucks in Ballarat every Tuesday heading for the saleyards where the sheep will then be trucked to Adelaide and then shipped to the ME.

Please we Australians really need your help to stop this. Please write and circulate to as many people outside Australia as you can.

Friday June 27, 2008, 1:59 am
Same here,Linda - I live in Adelaide and I sometimes see the trucks with their living loads of misery,heading down to the Port,and knowing the hell they are destined for is heartbreaking.

Friday June 27, 2008, 6:44 am
Just horrific..noted and signed many times!!..thankyou Linda

Friday June 27, 2008, 7:52 pm
NEW Petition - PLEASE sign!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-the-journey-of-cruelty

Friday June 27, 2008, 8:54 pm
Gladly noted and petition signed. Thank you Linda and Pam

Saturday June 28, 2008, 4:25 am
Action taken my friend Linda, and sent to friends. This has got to stop! It is wrong! I am truly sorry that you have to see this every day, I would be crying & probably not like what I am seeing either.
Thanks for everyone that forwarded to me. This is sadly noted.
Together let us be a voice for the innocent. I have already written the embassy. Thank you Pam, for the other petition, will sign that also.
Blessings to us all in the Universe.
FreeSpiritRunning...

Saturday June 28, 2008, 4:47 am
Please write and sign petition - it is important that we flood the embassys with both.

Here is my comment on petiton

Australia it is time to address and stop this despicable trade. The evidence is there and no amount of economic argument can justify its continuation. China makes money from skinning live animals and is the largest provider of fur in the world - does that make it right? Japan makes money from the killing of whales - does that make it right? The current government needs to live up to the reform platform that won it office and not continue and expand on this shameful trade. This government was meant to liten to the people and yet the responsible minister will not even meet with representatives of the handle with care coalition. And please do not insult us by spending $450,000 (less that 12 cents per animal exported in 2007 alone) on 'improvements'. The evidence is so shocking that the general public cannot watch it and opponents claim it is faked. And yet when confronted with the evidence Jordan is now changing its approach to animal welfare however Australian officials deny ther is a problem and claim that 35000 animals dying on route is acceptable and that the 'training' provided has improved the conditions for animals when documented evidence shows this not to be the case and well respected organisations such as the RSPCA vehemently oppose this trade. We are advised that this trade provides food for the 'poor' in the ME - again this is no justification for the ongoing crulety and shocking condtions experienced by these animals on route and at destination. If these peole are truly in need of food send aid - not live animals to be abused. I would like to know which politicians have personally seee the evidence and will stand by and say that this treatment of a living being is okay - if it is why do we not allow such practices in our own country?

Saturday June 28, 2008, 6:13 am
Here is a link to a video showing treatment of sheep in Australia and being exportred. It is graphic and heart breaking however important for those outside Australia to see the reality.

http://www.freecraftunlimited.com/videos/video/KsVpV0qsEns

Saturday June 28, 2008, 6:28 am


http://www.pm.gov.au/contact/index.cfm

Here is a copy of an e-mail I have just sent Kevin Rudd.


I have written on many occasions regarding the fate of animals subject to live export from this country.

I have never received a reply.

Here is a link showing graphic evidence of the treatment of sheep both in Australia and on route and in countries of destination when exported.

As this government condones live export and is indeed expanding this trade I can only interpret that you personally support the atrocities shown in this footage.

I have been advised that the government has allocated $450,000 for improvements in this trade. This equates to less tha 12 cents per animal exported in one year alone.

Please confirm that you have personally watched this footage and believe that it is ethical and acceptable.

yours sincerely

Sunday June 29, 2008, 3:48 am
Noted. Well done Linda, I'm proud of you.

Monday June 30, 2008, 2:14 am
The Hon. Tony Burke MP
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Is the minister responsible for these atrocities and below is his contact details.

Canberra Office

PO Box 6022
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600

OR

Phone:
(02) 6277 7520

Fax:
(02) 6273 4120
Ground Floor
1-5 Commercial Rd
KINGSGROVE NSW 2208
PO Box 324
KINGSGROVE NSW 1480

Phone:
(02) 9554 3808

Fax:
(02) 9554 3504

Animal Australia is the organization that sends members overseas to film the cruelty these animals endure and it's their journalism that has been on 60 minutes and the 7:30 report in Australia. Please look up their web site for further information or if anyone would like to donate.

Monday June 30, 2008, 5:38 am
Noted and signed, thank you!