NSW: Union claims victory over live shipment of cattle

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2000
NSW: Union claims victory over live shipment of cattle

SYDNEY, April 16 AAP - The Australasian Meatworkers' Union claimed victory today in
its campaign against the shipment of live cattle from the New South Wales port of Newcastle.

The union had joined forces with the animal rights group Animal Liberation NSW in a
bid to prevent cattle boarding a cargo carrier today in Newcastle bound for the Middle
East.

But union national secretary Tom Hannan said today the ship that was to have carried
the cattle was rerouted to Portland, in Victoria, where regular shipments have met little
opposition.

He said the joint campaign, which also had the backing of the community in Newcastle,
had worried Elders, the agricultural agents organising the shipment.

"I think we frightened the life out of them. I have no doubt, if we hadn't done something,
the ship would have come in," he said.

The union has opposed live shipments from Newcastle because they result in less cattle
being slaughtered in Australia and a loss of jobs in the meat processing industry.

It also backs Animal Liberation's position that live exports are cruel because cattle
are subject to inhumane treatment during transport and at their destinations, mostly in
the Middle East, Indonesia and Japan.

Mr Hannan said Elders had been put off by the possibility of negative publicity.

"They certainly didn't want to stir up a hornets' nest," he said.

Mark Pearson, president of Animal Liberation NSW, was also claiming victory.

"We see it as a win," he said. "This was the first time they (the live exporters) were
going to face such a storm, because they usually use remote ports.

"I think they're certainly concerned about the mass of publicity.

"Because of the alliance formed with all the unions and us, it has sparked a more powerful
effort to tackle the issue nationally.

"We're going to build up a campaign towards the next federal election and make it a major issue."

A spokesman for Elders refused to comment.

AAP ab/ps/de

KEYWORD: CATTLE (CARRIED EARLIER)

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