Press Release

The latest City of Fremantle call on live sheep exports highlights State Government inaction on a promised new private port at James Point near Fremantle, Pastoralists and Graziers’ Association President, Rob Gillam said today.

“Everyone but the Fremantle Port Authority agrees that livestock shipping infrastructures must be moved out of Fremantle in the interests of further improving animal welfare, because the industry has gone as far as it can with new ships and practises that have dramatically lifted trade standards and success rates.”

“Congestion, poor road infrastructures and delays in the Fremantle port itself are now our biggest remaining barrier to achieving even higher welfare standards and shipping success rates.”

“The Barnett Government made a pre-election commitment to proceed with a new alternate port at James Point, but opposition from the Fremantle Port Authority is believed to be behind the project being stalemated.”

“A PGA meeting with officials from Transport Minister Simon O’Brien last week indicated little progress on James Point because of the delaying tactics of a number of government agencies.

“While the Government allows this situation to continue, we will continue to have people like the Mayor of Fremantle and opponents to the livestock export industry using the declining port standards at Fremantle as an excuse for slamming the live export trade.”