Alice Coster, Jakarta – Protesters wearing death masks and skeleton costumes stood outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta on Monday, calling for an end to Australia's live export of sheep and cattle to Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia Pacific (PETA) held signs reading "Australia: End Live Animal Exports", saying they wanted to educate Indonesian people to take action and know where their food is coming from.
"We aren't out here protesting Indonesia, we are protesting against Australia," said PETA spokesperson Ashley Fruno through her death mask.
"Millions of animals are exported from Australia to countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and the Middle East. The voyages last weeks, even months, and many animals die from starvation, heatstroke, injuries, diseases and salmonella poisoning."
Australia is the world's largest exporter of live sheep and cattle. According to the Australian embassy, Indonesia is Australia's biggest live cattle market.
There has been widespread controversy regarding Australia's animal welfare practices in livestock exports over recent years, with a number of animal welfare groups calling for an end to live exports.
The Jakarta demonstration follows a recent investigation by PETA and Animals Australia. They say the investigation shows ongoing cruelty to animals.
They have released video footage showing sheep and cattle that have traveled from Australia, being dragged onto ships by their ears and legs, being kicked in the face and hauled to backyard slaughterhouses.
This treatment, they say, continues despite the Australian government introduction of legislation that provides stronger regulations in the livestock export industry, with AUS $4 million invested in improving animal welfare practices.
PETA claims the efforts are inadequate. "Legality is no guarantee of morality," said Fruno. "Codes of practices are in effect in almost every country, but they are usually difficult to enforce and the few laws that do exist are simply ineffective. The only way to put a stop to the cruelty of live export is to eliminate the industry altogether."
The Australian Department for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry states the Australian Government supports livestock export trade, saying the industry brings in around AUS$830 million in trade annually.