Ethical perspectives of the Australian live export trade.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the ethical perspectives of the Australian live export trade.


METHODS
The perspectives of farmers and other industry personnel, overseas consumers, the Australian public, veterinarians and the assumed interests of transported animals are compared in relation to the ethical consequences. Animal welfare, societal, personal and professional ethics are identified and the ratification of different perspectives considered.


CONCLUSIONS
There are positive and negative aspects of the trade for each stakeholder group, and the overall position adopted by any individual reflects their perspective of the balance of these components. The debate as to whether Australia should continue with the trade will be best served by consideration of the interests of all parties in the trade, including the consumers and animals, which are among the most affected by the trade. There is a need for further research to address the major welfare problems for the animals, an openness to inspection on the part of the trade and balance in media reporting.
Phillips
C J C
CJ
Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia. c.phillips@uq.edu.au
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods; D000827:Animal Welfare / Q000941:ethics*; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D001315:Australia; D003132:Commerce / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D011639:Public Opinion; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000941:ethics*