Fact v Fiction: Debunking live export myths

15 June 2021

Abstract: In April, the New Zealand Government announced a ban on the export of all live animals (including dairy cattle and livestock used for breeding) from 2023. It follows a New Zealand ban on the export of live animals for slaughter in 2007.

The RSPCA has long advocated for the further development and adoption of a chilled and frozen meat-only trade, and is opposed to the export of live animals for slaughter.

Following an announcement by the New Zealand Government that the export of all live animals would be banned from 2023, news outlets across the country again started asking the question about whether Australia should follow suit.

While there are differing opinions about the live export trade, there are many facts that can’t be disputed. To help provide some clarity to the debate, RSPCA Australia released a fact v fiction list about live export in Australia.

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