The Government has rejected Australia’s proposal to discontinue live sheep exports in favor of frozen sheep meat. The controversy, which has been simmering for some time, threatens to strain the diplomatic ties between the two nations, reported Al-Rai Daily.
The SheepCentral website, in a report titled “Kuwait says it will not accept frozen meat instead of live sheep,” highlighted Kuwait’s steadfast opposition to the Australian government’s decision to gradually phase out live sheep exports.
According to the report, Kuwait’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Muhammad Othman Al-Aiban, penned a letter to Murray Watt, the Australian Minister of Agriculture, during a virtual meeting between the two officials. In the letter, Al-Aiban expressed his view that the decision to ban live sheep exports was unrealistic and called on the Australian government to reconsider its policy.
Al-Aiban emphasized that Kuwait already imports an ample supply of frozen sheep meat, rendering the move to halt live sheep exports unnecessary and potentially damaging to bilateral relations.
Minister Watt responded by asserting that commercial decisions should primarily align with business interests. He clarified that the cessation of live sheep exports would not occur during the current parliamentary term. Instead, the government awaits the recommendations of an independent committee to guide a well-planned transition process.
Furthermore, Watt emphasized the government’s commitment to collaborate with the industry to explore avenues for growth. This includes expanding land-based processing operations, which have experienced significant growth, with sheep meat exports surging by nearly 200 percent since 2003.
However, not everyone in Australia supports this policy shift. The sheep meat industry, represented by Mark Harvey-Sutton, Chairman of the Meat Exporters Council, criticized the government’s approach. He deemed the proposal to replace live sheep with frozen meat as “arrogant” and emphasized the importance of aligning with consumer preferences.
Harvey-Sutton asserted that it is essential to respond to the demands of consumers, particularly in regions like the Middle East, where live sheep are crucial to ensuring food security and meeting consumer preferences. He urged the Australian government to pay heed to Kuwait’s concerns, given its longstanding friendship with Australia and its expressed disappointment with the policy change.
In conclusion, the dispute over Australia’s plan to halt live sheep exports in favor of frozen meat continues to escalate. The Australian government insists on a measured approach, while industry stakeholders, like the Meat Exporters Council, urge flexibility to accommodate consumer demand. As tensions mount, the diplomatic relationship between Australia and Kuwait hangs in the balance.
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