ALEC CEO Mark Harvey-Sutton, left, with Kuwait Livestock Transport and Trading Company CEO Ahmed Ayoub Al Majed and ALEC chairman David Galvin.

AUSTRALIA’S live sheep export trade had opportunities to grow in the Middle East, industry leaders said during a tour of the region this week.

Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council chair David Galvin and ALEC chief executive officer Mark Harvey-Sutton are in the Middle East this week to visit key markets and customers to keep industry relationships with the region strong.

The tour is taking in UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Jordan.

Mr Harvey-Sutton said it was also quite exciting that the industry could be on the cusp of opening a new sheep market in the region in Morocco.

“As the final stages of the protocol negotiations conclude, Australian exporters will soon also be able to send sheep to Morocco, building market access options in the region.

“When you couple this with the significant re-entry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after years of not importing Australian sheep, it shows a real opportunity for growth of the livestock trade in the region,” he said.

“We look forward to reporting back our observations to the Australian Government when we return, so they can better understand the reality of how these markets work, and the important role the Australian livestock industry plays in our strong diplomatic relationships in the region.”

Mr Galvin said it was excellent to be back in the region after a number of years to discuss Australia’s livestock trade.

“It is very humbling to see that much of Australia’s identity and positive reputation in countries such as Jordan and Kuwait is tied to Australia’s livestock trade.

“Over many decades we have given these countries food security,” he said.

“They are immensely grateful for this and have demonstrated a very strong desire for the trade to continue for many years to come.

“Australia’s livestock trade helps ensure they can service all segments of their consumer markets alongside their significant investment in chilled and frozen meat from Australia,” he said.

“I have been making a very strong point of thanking these customers for being excellent trading partners and providing market access for Australian livestock farmers.

“I have also thanked them for their willingness to introduce Australian animal welfare standards into their supply chains over many years, something which took them a lot of perseverance and significant investment, Mr Galvin said.

“We have seen this work also benefit animals from other suppliers in Africa and Europe through these improved animal welfare standards.”

Middle East tour fosters false hope – Alliance

Alliance for Animals co-founder and policy director Dr Jed Goodfellow said the ALEC tour and release sends very mixed messages about the future of the live sheep trade to importers and Australian sheep producers alike.

“The reality is the trade will be ending on 1 May 2028, if not sooner.

“To suggest otherwise is just selling false hope,” he said.

“It is good to see ALEC at least acknowledge the significant investment in chilled and frozen meat exports to these regions.

“Exports of Australian lamb and mutton are reaching record levels, value-adding to Australian supply chains in the process,” he said.

“This is clearly the future, and one the broader industry acknowledges, despite ALEC’s best efforts to suggest otherwise.”