FREMANTLE Federal candidates have taken stock of the live export issue after the RSPCA urged them to become “political animals” and support a phase-out of the trade.

RSPCA chief executive Heather Neil said sheep meat exports were worth 20 per cent more to the economy than sheep sent overseas for slaughter, and keeping sheep in Australia prevented “unnecessary suffering and cruelty”.

Meat and Livestock Australia figures indicate that between January 2009 and May 2010, roughly 79 per cent or about 860,000 of Australia’s one million live exported sheep were shipped from Fremantle.

The figures indicate 80,316 live cattle were exported from Fremantle in the same period, second only to the 121,236 cattle exported from Darwin.

Fremantle candidates had differing views on whether live animal export should be banned.

“I’m certainly against cruelty to animals in any form, but I don’t know all the details about it (live export), I don’t know if I’d say to ban it,” Democratic Labor Party candidate Keith McEncroe said.

“I have taken a very clear position on this issue. I believe that we should transition from the live sheep export industry to the chilled meat export trade,” ALP candidate Melissa Parke said.

“There is a freight line going straight to Rob’s Jetty, where sheep can be slaughtered and frozen carcasses exported. Live export is cruel,” Socialist Alliance candidate Sanna Andrew said.

“The Greens are committed to working toward the abolition of the live sheep trade, we do not support this trade,” Greens candidate Kate Davis said.

“I think where we can, we should export processed rather than live animals, but I understand there will always be demand for live animals for various reasons,” Liberal candidate Matt Taylor said.

“I would be in favour of livestock exportation provided it can be done in a humane, safe and accountable manner (but) suitable infrastructure measures seem either ineffective or not being adhered to,” Family First Candidate Larry Parsons said.

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