Atn:
The Hon Warren Truss
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
P.O. Box 283, Maryborough, Qld. 4650
AUSTRALIA


Dear Minister

Please help the 50.000 sheep on Cormo Express. We are horrified to
learn of the shocking animal cruelty and suffering involved in the
Australian export trade in live animals. Thousands of animals
routinely die at sea each year and thousands more die when periodic
disasters occur.  Others survive to be slaughtered by cruel methods
not permitted in Australia and other countries. This may be after long
and strenuous land transport in inadequate vehicles and extreme heat.
This northern summer is even hotter than the last, when thousands of
animals suffered and died due to extreme heat and humidity, yet still
Australia continues to send animals to these extreme temperatures.
Even before the sea journey begins, animals are transported long
distances by road from farm to port - a recent Australian TV
documentary showed sheep that traveled for 50 hours, from farm to
port, without being fed or watered.  
 
To continue with a trade in live animals is completely unethical when
the suffering it involves is inherent, unavoidable and unrelenting.
We therefore call upon the Australian Government to ban the trade in
live animals. 
 
Yours sincerely