Calls for the phasing out of live sheep and lamb exports are rooted in cultural imperialism and will not lead to greater animal welfare.
Speaking against the Animal Export Legislation Amendment Bill, Liberal Democrats Senator David Leyonhjelm said Australian sheep were exported more humanely than those from any other country.
"Issues relating to an Emanuel Exports shipment are the exception in the industry and not evidence of systemic failure," Senator Leyonhjelm said.
"Australia is the only country in the world that regulates livestock exports all the way from Australian farms to feedlots and abattoirs overseas.
"We are the only country that operates an Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS), and if our live export ceases, overseas markets will simply source their live animals from other countries where no such animal welfare safeguards operate."
Senator Leyonhjelm said many of the countries importing Australia the resources or geography to efficiently produce livestock locally to feed their people.
"Those Australians opposing live exports are telling poor brown people in other countries to get a refrigerator and buy their meat already killed and packaged, just like us wealthy white people do," he said.
"It’s about cultural imperialism. It’s about arrogance. It’s about racism."
Senator Leyonhjelm said there was also an economic imperative for maintaining a viable and humane live export industry.
"If Australia stopped exporting live sheep and cattle, there would be not one single new job created," he said.
"At risk is an industry that supports 13,000 jobs, including 11,000 in rural areas where live export is the entire backbone of some communities."
