Australia: Dissent over how much live sheep ban will hurt New South Wales farmers, inquiry hears

The live sheep by sea trade ban could see the value of NSW sheep and lamb sales take a $125 million hit in just two years, NSW Farmers has said off the back of a hearing held by the state's government on Wednesday. But the state's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has refuted that, saying it expected the ban to have "a relatively minor, short-term impact" on NSW. Following his appearance at the hearing NSW Farmers president Xavier Martin said analysis conducted by the state's peak farm body showed the impact of the trade ban would extend beyond WA. "Switching off this market access will have serious consequences right across the country, and that includes NSW," Mr Martin said. "Once the trade ban takes effect, NSW sheep and lamb prices could take a 14 per cent hit over just two years, and in times following drought, our industry will suffer without the ability to draw on the west coast to restock their sheep flocks. "Domestic feed grain and fodder supplies ...