From Australia to the Middle East and North Africa: The Collapse and Cruelty of Live Sheep Exports
Over the years, numerous incidents have been recorded in the trade of live sheep from Australia to the Middle East and North Africa. Ships have sunk, animals have suffocated in extreme heat, and entire consignments have been rejected at ports only to face brutal slaughter. Together, these incidents expose a system in crisis, where animals continue to be crammed into ships, enduring fear, heat, and neglect, only for many to perish before reaching port. The collapse reflects both the instability of the trade and the mounting evidence of its cruelty.
Countdown to 2028: Australia’s Ban on Live Sheep Exports and the Middle East’s Dilemma
Australia’s landmark decision to legislate the end of live sheep exports by May 2028 marks one of the most significant animal welfare reforms in modern history. For decades, millions of sheep have been shipped across oceans in overcrowded vessels, enduring extreme heat and high mortality before facing slaughter abroad. The Middle East has been among the largest destinations for these shipments, with countries such as Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Qatar continuing to import live animals. As the countdown to 2028 begins, the question is no longer whether this trade will end in Australia but how Middle Eastern markets will respond to a global shift away from live animal transport.