Livestock or livelihood
Livestock or
Livelihood?
Since the very first cattle set ‘hoof’ on Australian shores there have always been farmers to look after them, to drove them, to take them to market and to sustain the Australian farmers livelihood as well as the cattle’s wellbeing. Not only does this process maintain the farmers’ lifestyle, but it keeps the economy strong and the beef market up and running. It is for these reasons that sixth generation cattle farmer John Herbert believes the cattle market should be staying strong, but as of recent John and other farmers like him have been feeling the ‘buck’ of recent laws passed by the government heavily restricting the sale of live stock to countries overseas, namely Indonesia. Studies into the treatment of the livestock found that although that they experienced fair treatment and a generally sound life out in the wide open paddocks on offer in Australia, but were soon forcefully restrained into small pens barely big enough to fit them, while they are continuously fed and given the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to get the most meat from an individual cow or bull. Following these discoveries, groups vying for the fair treatment of animals cried bloody murder from all corners of Australia, demanding the situation be improved for all animals, including livestock, being shipped to overseas countries. Among these groups were the RSPCA, a well known, loved, respected volunteer organisation funded by the government to take care of the animals of Australia, ensuring that every animal is treated fairly and with the dignity it deserves. Having heard about the cattle situation, RSPCA representative and Australian Chief Scientist Dr Bidda Jones publically conducted an investigation into the treatment of livestock while under the current laws. She concluded that the majority of animals shipped to Indonesia experienced and were subject to physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, eye gouging and even bone breaking or tendon slashing just
Livelihood?
Since the very first cattle set ‘hoof’ on Australian shores there have always been farmers to look after them, to drove them, to take them to market and to sustain the Australian farmers livelihood as well as the cattle’s wellbeing. Not only does this process maintain the farmers’ lifestyle, but it keeps the economy strong and the beef market up and running. It is for these reasons that sixth generation cattle farmer John Herbert believes the cattle market should be staying strong, but as of recent John and other farmers like him have been feeling the ‘buck’ of recent laws passed by the government heavily restricting the sale of live stock to countries overseas, namely Indonesia. Studies into the treatment of the livestock found that although that they experienced fair treatment and a generally sound life out in the wide open paddocks on offer in Australia, but were soon forcefully restrained into small pens barely big enough to fit them, while they are continuously fed and given the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to get the most meat from an individual cow or bull. Following these discoveries, groups vying for the fair treatment of animals cried bloody murder from all corners of Australia, demanding the situation be improved for all animals, including livestock, being shipped to overseas countries. Among these groups were the RSPCA, a well known, loved, respected volunteer organisation funded by the government to take care of the animals of Australia, ensuring that every animal is treated fairly and with the dignity it deserves. Having heard about the cattle situation, RSPCA representative and Australian Chief Scientist Dr Bidda Jones publically conducted an investigation into the treatment of livestock while under the current laws. She concluded that the majority of animals shipped to Indonesia experienced and were subject to physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, eye gouging and even bone breaking or tendon slashing just