Live Export Trade - Article Example

Name Professor Course code Date Live Export Trade Introduction Live export is a term that represents the transportation of domesticated animals such as cows, sheep, camels, and so on, from one country into another. This is usually a commercial venture and therefore the use of the term ‘trade’. The main purpose of live export trade is fattening and the eventual meat production through slaughter (RSPCA 2014). However, these animals may also be used for other purposes such as agricultural rearing or breeding (MLA, 2014), tourist attractions, and so on. Live export trade is a matter of global concern because it affects the lives of human beings locally and globally in very many ways. First, it is a cross-border economic activity meaning it is a source of income for many people globally. At the same time international trade calls for peaceful co-existence and interaction between nations. It involves interaction of people, communities and nations on an international scale through trade, global communication systems such as telephones and the Internet, global transport systems such as road, sea, and air, and global legal systems. Again, live export trade involves strict health practices because it may become a conduit for the global transmission of human and animal diseases. All this shows that live export trade has serious cultural, political, health and economic implications worldwide; a major concern for all nations. Economics of Live Export Trade According to the MLA (2014), live export trade is a very important service to the global community is among the best income-generating activities for families and communities that traditionally depend on farming and livestock keeping. The global trade of live animals is therefore an important ingredient in globalization because it brings global interaction between communities and providing sustainable economic practice globally to both individuals and communities. Live export trade provides an avenue for livestock producers to acquire and benefit from a global market. According to MLA (2014), Australia is the largest global exporter of live animals specifically cattle sheep and goats, having developed an efficient and well-regulated live export trade system that has received global recognition. The most common methods of transportation of live animals are air and sea. Australia has won this world acclamation through their exceptional care in handling of animals by giving licenses to only those transporters who meet the strict Australian regulations, a factor that ensures that almost all Australian animals (99%) get to their destination safely and in good health. The Department of Agriculture (2014) posts an impressive record of safe live export showing very low mortality rates as follows; 2% for goats, sheep, deer, and camelids, and 1% for both cattle and buffalo. This practice is probably a motivator for the global community to act morally and responsibly in business practice and other aspects of their lives because ultimately positive economic benefits ensue. Australia has such passion for animal welfare that according to the Department of Agriculture (2014), the Australian government together with other partners in the Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership has invested over $3.2 million in a 3-year initiative to improve animal welfare trade especially in the international markets. These are initiatives that the global community probably ought to emulate. Live export trade contributes positively to the economies of many nations such as Australia through the sale of animals and animal products. The capabilities of different nations to engage in live export trade through international treaties, economic agreements, international transportation and communication evidently show how globalization has affected nations especially economically. For example, according to the Department of Agriculture (2014), live export trade earned Australia $996.5 million in 2009. Again, according to Deeney (2014), in Australia alone the proceeds from live export trade with countries such as the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, and France exceeded a whopping €240 million. MLA (2014) asserts that live export trade accounts for over $1.8 billion of the economy of Australia. Live export trade also provides a large number of employment opportunities in both countries in areas such as slaughter houses, veterinary services, packaging, marketing, and administration (management) of live export trade companies. According to MLA (2014), it provides employment to over 13,000 people distributed across Australia both in the rural and urban areas. Live export trade is a viable commercial venture that has continued to depict good future prospects. In Australia, Deeney (2014) argues that live export trade has exceptional growth prospects evidenced by the 31% growth in live export trade in 2013. She pinpoints at live export trade with a single country, Italy, which contributed over 30% of the live trade exports, an indicator that live export trade is a good economic venture. Again, Australia has managed to export live animals to North African countries such as Libya bringing it live cattle export to 19,000 animals in 2013 alone. Deeney (2014) asserts that live export trade has better future prospects because of the lowered prices of grains which has resulted to lower prices of animal feeds in the face of a growing demand for beef in countries such as Spain. Again, live export of lamb has doubled and the prices of lamb meat have continued to grow. Kirk (2014), observes that there is a ready market for Australian sheep in Saudi Arabia worth about $100 million annually. Given the huge incomes that Australia makes from live export trade and markets that are constantly opening up, this then is evidence that live export trade represents a huge chunk of the global economy which can only grow in the future and continue to impact more people positively. There is a paradoxical aspect of live export trade that concerns globalization. According to the WSPA (2014), live export trade is a product of globalization which has created thousands of job opportunities as previously discussed, however some lobby groups in Australia agitate for the abolishment of live export trade. In its place, they demand for the slaughter of animals within Australia and the export of finished animal products only such as frozen meat. The essence of this agitation is to protect the existing Australian Jobs and the creation of new direct 2,200 jobs (WSPA, 2014). In fact, WSPA (2014) asserts that if the Australians were to have their way, the process would result to an extra 20% benefit to the Australian economy. On the one hand, Australia seeks to enjoy the benefits of globalization through global trade (export) of its meat products but on the other hand they want to deny jobs created through the same trade to other nations who ironically purchase their finished products. As much as it may be a good thing for Australia, it sounds selfish, unfair, and unethical in that one partner in the globalization process benefits from both the sale and jobs created through export of the finished products while denying their customers (the importers) any other benefit that may accrue from the same. Health Implications MLA (2014) has identified the live export trade as one of the most important nutritional service to the global community because it is a direct source of protein-rich food. For human beings to enjoy perfect health, they must constantly consume a balanced diet which basically comprises of carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, and fluids. The most common sources of proteins are leguminous plants, milk and meat. Many nations today face food shortages due to the bulging populations, desert conditions exacerbated by global warming and worsening economic situations especially after the 2008 global economic meltdown. Live export trade therefore plays a very important role by availing this important nutrient (proteins) through the provision of meat to global communities, and therefore playing a positive role in the human health. On the flipside, live export trade portends some very negative aspects. According to DEFRA (2014) live export trade facilitates the spread of animal diseases globally. Infected animals carry their illnesses to the destination country. The interaction of the infected animals with uninfected animals will lead to the transmission of these diseases to the uninfected animals, for example the foot and mouth disease. The diseases can also spread when humans interact with the infected animals. This interaction may pass over the disease pathogens to the humans, for example, through their clothing such that when human beings interact with uninfected animals, the pathogens pass over to the animals and cause infections. DEFRA (2013) is particularly concerned about some specific exotic diseases whose outbreak may cause mayhem to both animals and humans, with serious economic repercussions. These include Schmallenberg virus, the cattle version of tuberculosis called Bovine TB, Foot and mouth which attacks cattle, and the Avian Influenza (Bird flu). Live export trade provide an avenue for these diseases to proliferate even in country where they have never been found before. The carrier vessels mal also play the role of carriers and infectors when they carry infected animals, and thereafter carry un-infected animals. The uninfected animals pick up the disease pathogens and get ill also. Again, DEFRA (2014) cautions such diseases are not just a threat to animal health but also to humans. Some animal diseases also affect human beings, for example, the H5N1 avian influenza which is highly contagious. Australia is an export of deer meat. According to the NIH (2014), deer is the carrier of Lyme disease which also affects human beings. This disease which is very hard to diagnose usually passes over to the human beings through bites from ticks that have had contact with an infected deer causing the human to suffer from fever, headaches, fatigue, a stiff neck, and joint and muscle pain. Some of these diseases may be picked by human being during handling of the animals, and also by virtue of the fact that other people who may not even be in the live export trade would be travelling in the same vessels. Such people may then transmit the disease to other people inside the vessel, and then proceed to carry the disease to a different country to the people they interact with. DEFRA (2014) argues that the outbreak of disease, either to the animals or to the humans, or both will lead to huge losses economically in both the source and in the destination countries. In 2001, the outbreak of the foot and mouth disease in the UK through live export trade resulted to economic losing in both the food and agricultural industry to the tune of over £ 3 billion. Cruelty to Animals MLA (2014) asserts that animals must be handled with utmost care especially during transportation, and only by trained handlers and stockmen. This care includes keeping the animals under shade, non-congested lots, and with constant availability of food and fresh water. A caring attitude includes humane slaughter methods such as sparing the animal from too much pain (RSPCA). However, in other countries such as nations in the Middle East, there are no laws or regulations for the protection and care of live animals. There are also many unscrupulous transporters who depict an inhuman and probably illegal angle to the live export trade. This is in the cruel treatment of animals especially during transportation and handling. RSPCA (2014) and WSPA (2014) expose the harsh treatment that animals face which include; (i) Excessively long uncomfortable journeys by ship destined especially to South East Asia and the Middle East that last over 35 days. (ii) Transportation in a very congested space such as one-meter square for sheep during the entire lengthy journey. (iii) Inhumane slaughter such as slitting animals’ throat while the animal is fully conscious. On some occasions, sheep have received multiple slits (Guardian, 2011) (iv) On-board conditions that lead to a lot of stress and suffering to the animals on board such as the un-tethered ship motions, noise, ship vibrations, and cramping. (v) Unhygienic conditions resulting from lack of cleaning of the animal chambers leading to accumulation of faeces and urine. This problem is exacerbated by high humidity and high temperatures within the ship. Again, Animals Australia (2014) exposes global instances of serious cruelty to animals. It is a worrying trend which seems to gain momentum and encouragement through attitudes acquired in the globalization process and interaction. Examples of these horrendous instances include; (a) The abuse of Australian cattle such as parking of cattle together with wooden crates in Gaza in December 2013. (b) The brutal slaughter techniques of Australian sheep in Kuwait in October 2013. (c) Physical abuse of Australian ship in Israel such as kicking, punching, and throwing in June 2013. (d) Brutal treatment of cattle in Egypt in May 2013. (e) Grueling journeys of pregnant animals that resulted in death, abortion, and so on in Mauritius in January 2013. (f) Breaking cattle’s’ legs and yanking calves’ necks in Mexico in December 2012. (g) Pigs receiving face stabbings and death by sledge-hammer in 2011. (h) The mercy killing of 46 sheep (euthanasia) in the UK when the importers realized the sheep could not leave the UK and therefore opted to ship them back to the Dover port dead (KAALE, 2011). (i) Hauling cattle into trucks while they are bound on all limbs (Guardian 2014), that sometimes led to broken limbs and horns. Some animals have bled overnight as they await slaughter. Challenges to the Live Export Trade Live export trade has also faced challenges in many ways. Deeney (2014) argues that in the UK, the local farmers, factories, and other producers of animal products have monopolized the market making it very hard for exporters of live animals such as Ireland to make headway into the UK. Again, due to fears of animal and human diseases, the UK has on many occasions instituted bans on live export into the UK denying international producers access to its local market, and thus acting against the spirit of globalization. This has also resulted in another negative effect in that the prices of beef in the UK has shot up steeply because the producers enjoy insulation from international producers into the UK market, yet safe and low-priced animals and animal products from countries such as Ireland cannot access the UK market. It is interesting to note that some nations do not care much about animal welfare. Kirk (2014) exposes countries like Saudi Arabia which have blatantly refused to enter into any agreements with countries that observe strict live export trade regulations such as Australia. Saudi Arabia has no intention of instituting measures to protect Australian sheep from cruelty during handling or slaughter. This may become a hindrance to international trade of live animals. It certainly cannot be laudable behavior when a nation clearly deviates from the common path agreed upon by other nations in pursuit of globalization, by circumventing international laws and regulations, and sometimes for no good reason. Even more interesting is the tone of the Australian Agricultural minister which seems to suggest that Australia may be forced to bend some rules or concede some compromises to Saudi Arabia as far as animal handling is concerned (Kirk 2014). The Saudi government asserts that any agreement made to support the Australian regulations would be tantamount to giving up its sovereignty. On the other hand, the Australian Agriculture minister said that Saudi Arabia portends a huge market for Australian sheep that could rake in up to $100 million for Australia, an income which "gives the Australian economy and people on the land capacity to earn some money and goodness knows we need to do that at the moment to try and balance the books." He also said that Saudi Arabia is definitely consuming sheep although “they are not consuming ours”, a statement that seems to suggest that Australia may be willing to acquire the lucrative Saudi Arabian market under all circumstances, even if it means ignoring inhumane treatment of animals. This sounds unethical. More unethical behavior that is even leading to human conflict according to KAALE (2011) is the obstruction of animal inspectors from performing their duty at certain sites by both owners and interest groups pursuing selfish agenda. Even more worrying is the obstruction of such inspectors to public facilities such as ports. Again, live export transporters play the cat and mouse game with the government and inspectors in order to avoid detection of malpractices at the port and during the transportation process. A case in point is the avoidance of the Ramsgate Port where the RSPCA is active and stringent in favor of the less hostile Dover Port. The management of the Dover Port has persistently denied the RSPCA access for the purposes of examining the animals at the port. KAALE (2011) argues that the behavior of the transporters in collusion with the Dover Habour Board is an attempt to deny the public knowledge of illegal activities at the ports. Conclusion Live export trade is beneficial to human in terms of income and good health, and as a tool for globalization through trade and social interaction. However, it also poses major threats to people and the economy especially through transmission of dangerous and contagious diseases that could wipe out the gains made through trade. It is imperative that live export trade be conducted within the strictest rules and regulations, with observance of stringent health and animal handling standards. To ensure fairness and make the trade meaningful and beneficial to the global communities, all nations should speak in one voice and act in the same way. References Animals Australia, 2014, Exposing Live Export Cruelty, 2014, viewed 5 May 2014, Australian Government, Department of Agriculture, 2014, Live Animal Export Trade, 2014, viewed 4 may 2014, Deeney, L 2014, ‘Strong Live Export Trade Expected in 2014’, Agriland, 10 January, viewed 4 May 2014, Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), 2013, Animal Diseases. 15 February 2013, viewed 4 May 2014, < http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/> Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), 2014, Imports/Exports – Animal and Animal Products. 1 April 2014, viewed 2 May 2014, Kent Action Against Live Exports (KAALE), 2011, Kent Action Against Live Exports, 2011, viewed 5 May 2014, Kirk, A 2014, ‘Live sheep exports: Barnaby Joyce seeks to restart Saudi Arabian trade’, ABC News, 28 April 2014, viewed 5 May 2014, Meat and Livestock Australia Limited (MLA), 2014, Livestock Exports, 2014, viewed 5 May 2014, National Institute of Health (NIH), 2014, ‘Animal Diseases and Your Health’, Medline Plus, 21 April 2014, viewed 5 May 2014, The Guardian, 2014, ‘Animal cruelty video sparks fresh investigation into live export trade’, The Guardian, 2011, viewed 2 May 2014, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), 2014, End Long Distance Live Transport!, 2014, viewed 3 May 2014, World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), 2014, ‘Live Export Causing Unnecessary Suffering’, WSPA Live Export Campaign, 2014, viewed 5 May 2014, Read More

The Department of Agriculture (2014) posts an impressive record of safe live export showing very low mortality rates as follows; 2% for goats, sheep, deer, and camelids, and 1% for both cattle and buffalo. This practice is probably a motivator for the global community to act morally and responsibly in business practice and other aspects of their lives because ultimately positive economic benefits ensue. Australia has such passion for animal welfare that according to the Department of Agriculture (2014), the Australian government together with other partners in the Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership has invested over $3.

2 million in a 3-year initiative to improve animal welfare trade especially in the international markets. These are initiatives that the global community probably ought to emulate. Live export trade contributes positively to the economies of many nations such as Australia through the sale of animals and animal products. The capabilities of different nations to engage in live export trade through international treaties, economic agreements, international transportation and communication evidently show how globalization has affected nations especially economically.

For example, according to the Department of Agriculture (2014), live export trade earned Australia $996.5 million in 2009. Again, according to Deeney (2014), in Australia alone the proceeds from live export trade with countries such as the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, and France exceeded a whopping €240 million. MLA (2014) asserts that live export trade accounts for over $1.8 billion of the economy of Australia. Live export trade also provides a large number of employment opportunities in both countries in areas such as slaughter houses, veterinary services, packaging, marketing, and administration (management) of live export trade companies.

According to MLA (2014), it provides employment to over 13,000 people distributed across Australia both in the rural and urban areas. Live export trade is a viable commercial venture that has continued to depict good future prospects. In Australia, Deeney (2014) argues that live export trade has exceptional growth prospects evidenced by the 31% growth in live export trade in 2013. She pinpoints at live export trade with a single country, Italy, which contributed over 30% of the live trade exports, an indicator that live export trade is a good economic venture.

Again, Australia has managed to export live animals to North African countries such as Libya bringing it live cattle export to 19,000 animals in 2013 alone. Deeney (2014) asserts that live export trade has better future prospects because of the lowered prices of grains which has resulted to lower prices of animal feeds in the face of a growing demand for beef in countries such as Spain. Again, live export of lamb has doubled and the prices of lamb meat have continued to grow. Kirk (2014), observes that there is a ready market for Australian sheep in Saudi Arabia worth about $100 million annually.

Given the huge incomes that Australia makes from live export trade and markets that are constantly opening up, this then is evidence that live export trade represents a huge chunk of the global economy which can only grow in the future and continue to impact more people positively. There is a paradoxical aspect of live export trade that concerns globalization. According to the WSPA (2014), live export trade is a product of globalization which has created thousands of job opportunities as previously discussed, however some lobby groups in Australia agitate for the abolishment of live export trade.

In its place, they demand for the slaughter of animals within Australia and the export of finished animal products only such as frozen meat. The essence of this agitation is to protect the existing Australian Jobs and the creation of new direct 2,200 jobs (WSPA, 2014). In fact, WSPA (2014) asserts that if the Australians were to have their way, the process would result to an extra 20% benefit to the Australian economy.

Read More