To express their opposition to the upcoming prohibition on live sheep exports, almost 3000 farmers, truck drivers, shearers, and their families have gathered in Perth.
The prohibition, which is scheduled to take effect in 2028, has raised fears that it may have disastrous effects on local communities that depend greatly on the sector.
More than 1500 utes, lorries, and tractors carrying farmers conveyed their annoyance and indignation, calling on the Albanese government to reverse the ruling.
“This merely serves as proof that the bush has had enough,” said Pastoralists and Graziers Association member Tony Seabrook.
“We’re sick of being pushed around, sick of being dictated to by a federal government that is not listening.”
People in the area worry that the prohibition will ruin their way of life and completely demolish small rural villages.
Farmer Wes Hagboom stated, “We just want to feed everyone and make sure they have food on their plate.”
However, the federal government is not giving up.
Murray Watt, the minister of agriculture, stated, “We know from surveys that West Australians have the overwhelming support of this policy.”
“So now what we’re doing is getting on and delivering an election commitment.”
The business has denied allegations that it doesn’t care about animal welfare, claiming that Australia has some of the strictest regulations in the world.
Farmers and those who stand with them have declared their intention to keep fighting the ban until it is lifted.
