The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the topic of Australian standards in slaughterhouses.
Leave granted.
The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: With the announced phasing out of the live export of sheep by sea, now intended to commence 1 May 2028, we will undoubtedly see an increase in the rates of animals that are slaughtered on our shores—indeed in our own state—in preparation for export. We know—and I have raised this both in the parliament and in correspondence to the minister previously—that there are cruel practices currently occurring within South Australian abattoirs that are not meeting the Australian standards. This includes animals being killed without any form of stunning, leaving the animal in immense suffering as it dies.
My question therefore to the minister is: what is being done by PIRSA, her department, to ensure that the Australian standards for the processing of meat will be met in light of the recent ban on live exports to come?
The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): I thank the honourable member for her question. In regard to the ceasing of live exports, which of course won't be happening for a number of years, it is worth noting that we have not had live exports of sheep from South Australian ports for a number of years. I think 2018 was the last one, if I remember correctly. So, the likely impact of increased animals being slaughtered here in South Australia is not likely to be particularly huge. Certainly, there will be some impact, but it's not likely to be particularly huge.
In terms of the Australian standards, all slaughterhouses, all processing facilities, are required to adhere to the relevant standards. It is important that, where there are any known cases of contraventions of those standards, they are reported. The RSPCA is responsible in the first instance for investigation, but PIRSA will always provide assistance where that is possible.