Farmers rally to shear Labor's live sheep export ban

A file photo of sheep
A ban on live sheep exports is among the government policies that farmers are angry about. -AAP Image

Farmers will muster MPs in protest, seeking to put a ban on live sheep exports out to pasture and voice growing frustrations at agriculture policy.

A convoy of thousands of farmers will make their way to Parliament House in the centre of Canberra and circle the roads surrounding the building for about 30 minutes on Tuesday.

Agriculture and livestock groups and opposition politicians will address a rally on the parliament lawns following the convoy. 

The sector's viability was being impacted by government policies including the live sheep trade ban, water buybacks and industrial relations, National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said.

"We've had a gutful and enough is enough," he said ahead of the convoy and rally.

The opposition is pushing for a ban on live sheep exports to be scrapped and will campaign heavily on the issue in Western Australia, which will face the brunt of the policy changes. 

Labor argued ending the live sheep trade was humane after distressing onboard deaths.

Proponents say increased standards had made the animals safer and Australia vacating the field meant other nations with more lax laws would simply fill the gap.

The trade will end on May 1, 2028, and there will be $107 million over five years to help the sector transition.

The ban would cost thousands of jobs in the state, Liberal senator Michaelia Cash said. 

"Closing down the live sheep export industry is a direct attack by the Albanese Labor government on Western Australia," she said.

The politically contentious issue has also sparked an epiphany from former WA Labor senator turned independent Fatima Payman who raised concern about the phase-out time and called for a bigger support package after defecting.