Havent laughed so hard. It's not that I don''t agree with the principles of what Dr Jones is saying, I dont agree with the fantasy that we should all give RSPCA more power.

I think they are inacapable because each state is run seperately and each state office, in my opinion has its own agenda and it sure ain't animal welfare.

If they were doing a great job, then we would not need the other groups all trying to protect animals from abuse and cruelty.

The RSPCA is an attractive group for the quiet industry takeover, and egocentrics who can further their own agenda because governments like the RSPCA - they do the job they should be doing.

Industry likes the RSPCA because the RSPCA doesn't protect animals used in farming and the pubic think all is well.

What we need is enforcement of the laws we have now - and an improvement of the pitiful laws they are, too. But we will never have that until the committees chosen to examine welfare have some welfare people on them and not all industry people.

One point that seems to be missed is that if we cancel live cattle exports, what happens to the jobs of all those people in the Top End?

The live export industry has worked hard to clean up its act, with fewer deaths occurring. We seem to also be forgetting that even for local transport there is a mortality rate.

Also, if live exports get cancelled, as some of these groups would prefer, this also includes semen and embryos.

Therefore cancelling live exports would come at a huge cost to the nation, both in jobs and loss of foreign trade.

During the drought, the opportunity to export dairy heifers has been a saviour for our area. Would these groups prefer to see these animals stay here and starve to death because farmers cannot afford to feed them?

Or do we export them give them the best chance and earn an income to provide for our remaining stock?

Animal welfare groups continually expose the ongoing cruelty inflicted on Australia's farm animals every day. Live export, cruel farm practices, factory farming. long distance transportation, the list never ends.

If it were not for these groups, all this cruelty could be hidden.

Come on RSPCA - these animals need your help immediately.

Consumers must be willing to compensate for the increased costs and reduced margins associated with the "animal friendly" production systems. Given the predicted world food shortages, they must be willing to pay a lot more.

Groups like the RSPCA and PETA seem unable to realise the importance of economics.

Producers would be happy to use better systems if they could afford them. But since welfare groups aren't interested in mutually beneficial outcomes, it makes you wonder if they just enjoy publicity...

Its time these dropkicks got off their soapboxes and let Aussie farmers do what they do better than any other country in the world.

For all the huff and puff though, and assuming the figures are right in saying 1/4 of people someimes buy non-cage eggs, three quarters of people don't care enough to pay another dollar when they buy their eggs.

Point your anger at them. Industry will do whatever the market dictates.

The comments you made appear to be less based on fact on more on malice. You obviously do not recognise the RSPCA's achievements.

All large organisations have downfalls. However, without the RSPCA we wouldnt have as many shelters for our pets, animal cruelty investigations and animal rescues. Get off your high horse and complain about something in a constructive manner next time.

Its official - animals have more value than humans. We are passing laws to protect animals and to kill people. We are strange cattle

In response to jb's comments, I would like to express my concerns regarding his/her lack of interest in animal welfare.

Do you believe that Australian farmers are so cruel that they would allow their stock to starve too death? Farmers have access to the likes of the DPI and the RSPCA to help them destroy stock but obviously you are unaware of this.

As for you comments about animals being hurt during transportation in this country, how on earth can you compare this to what Australian animals are forced to endure on the ships that cart them to a country that has no animal welfare laws.

If the journey to the Middle East isn't cruel enough for you, then I imagine the slaughter methods used to kill animals that were once on Australian soil would surely shock you, or maybe not because you are all for live export arent you.

Here's an idea - why don't you visit the Middle East, as Animals Australia has many times, and stand in a slaughterhouse and watch animals being treated in ways that are so indefensible I still cannot believe it goes on, as most of us who love animals cannot. Wake up to yourself jb - live export is barbaric and always will be.

Everybody else has had a go at us & it seems we are the cause of all the worlds ills, global warming, oil shortages, water shortages, killing J.F.K... Here's an idea for steff: visit a aussie meat-works & you would loose your lunch. As for ag dept helping destroy stock -what planet are you from? Under resourced, city based & just how many of those nice young ladies own guns?