Passionate sheep industry rallies against live export shut down in Perth on Friday 28th March

On Friday 28th March 2025, hundreds of passionate people involved in WA’s sheep industry will be taking to the streets of Perth.

This marks the fourth time in the last year that farmers, the livestock industry, and people living in regional communities have rallied on mass in opposition to the federal government’s shut down of Australia’s sheep live export trade.

Farmers, industry and members of regional communities who took to Perth’s streets in May 2024 are preparing to convoy again on 28th March 2025” Photo credit: Josh Fernandes Studios.

“It has generally been a rare thing to see farmers and people in our industry pushed to the point that they feel the need to publicly protest,” said ASHEEP & BEEF Chair and Esperance farmer David Vandenberghe.

“In a 12-month period we’ll now have had four major public protests involving thousands of people. One at Muresk, one in Canberra, and two in Perth.”

ASHEEP & BEEF Chair David Vandenberghe in the Esperance agricultural show’s wool room.

“It shows the high level of anger and frustration toward the Albanese Government’s decision to shut down WA’s sheep live export trade and the lack of understanding or consultation in reaching that position.”

“There are now over 110,000 signatures on a petition to stop the ban on sheep live exports.”

“WA’s sheep industry is seeing huge damage from the shutdown of one of our key markets. Our industry has made a significant investment in reforming the trade over the last decade and Australia now leads the world in best practice standards, but this has been disregarded.”

“I commend the efforts of all the volunteers and supporters involved in the Keep the Sheep campaign for bringing awareness to this issue.”

“ASHEEP & BEEF is not a political organisation, we would like to think that whoever is in power would take the time to properly understand agricultural systems and consult with industry thoroughly before taking a position that will wipe out livelihoods.”

“As such, we continue to urge the federal government to cease their reckless approach to policy setting impacting the WA sheep industry and reverse their decision to shut down the sheep live export trade.”

This rally is coordinated by Keep The Sheep, to join register at www.keepthesheep.com.au/campaign_convoy. There are four convoy start points for trucks, utes and vehicles displaying banners and signs to travel through the city before gathering for a BBQ.