Opposition firm on chilled meat export plan

WA Labor leader Mark McGowan says any move away from live exports will be well planned. Source: AAP

ANY moves away from live animal exports and towards more meat processing in Western Australia will be well planned and in consultation with the industry, Opposition Leader Mark McGowan says.

Mr McGowan, who on Sunday officially launched WA Labor's campaign for the March 9 state election, has said previously the party was committed to promoting a chilled meat industry as an animal welfare measure.

He reiterated that stance today but said live exports were a "fraught'' and "tricky'' issue given people's livelihoods were at stake.

"Naturally, you have to take all the steps you can to create more jobs in Australia, so that's why I'm talking more about processing meat in Australia as opposed to overseas,'' Mr McGowan said.

"What the state can do is work with proponents who might want to set up meatworks and help them secure labour to do so.

"You can't do anything without consulting industry and you need a roadmap on these issues to get some consensus about what needs to be done.''

In 1999, Mr McGowan introduced the state's second largest petition to parliament, seeking to strengthen animal welfare laws, with about 66,000 signatures.

"Then in 2002, we did it. We took our legislation through the parliament.

"My record in this area is proven.

"I have a strong view that animal welfare is important.''

While the 2002 legislation was much needed, Mr McGowan said he did not believe in mandatory penalties for animal cruelty.

"You have to leave discretion in the hands of the courts and maybe it needs more education.''

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Opposition firm on chilled meat export plan

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