MEDIA RELEASE

11 November 2014

Wellard condemns activists for placing peoples lives at risk

Wellard condemns the actions of activists at a South West feedlot, where a truck was set on fire.
Wellards own feedlot has been subjected to sabotage on a number of occasions.
Earlier this year activists placed the lives of the general public at severe risk, when they partially
severed the brake lines and electrics between the prime mover and a grain trailer of two grain trucks
that were due to deliver grain to the Fremantle wharf.
The brake lines were only partially severed so we potentially could have had an 80 tonne truck and
trailer moving through Fremantle on Easter Sunday with faulty brakes, said Wellard Rural Exports
CEO Fred Troncone.
We were lucky we found the sabotaged lines when we did because they were cut in a position that
was obviously designed to hide the damage from detection.
People have a right to protest, but they dont have a right to engage in criminal acts which puts
lives at risk.
Police are continuing to investigate that issue. Any member of the public who might have any
information related to this incident is encouraged to contact CrimeStoppers.
In other instances appliances have had their electrical cords cut, shearing machines and wool
presses have been sabotaged, graffiti has been spray painted on buildings, a feed wagon has had its
hydraulic lines cut and padlocks have been superglued.
How can people claim they support animal welfare and then prevent our staff from feeding our
sheep and monitoring their condition for any illness? Mr Troncone said.
That sabotage wont stop live export, but it will mean that sheep will go hungry while we source
parts to fix our machinery.
Wellard increased its security after its trucks were sabotaged during Easter this year.
For further information please contact:
Cameron Morse
Phone: + 61 8 9485 8888
Mobile: +61 (0) 433 886 871
Wellard Rural Exports - ABN 31 109 866 328
1A Pakenham Street, Fremantle WA 6160 - Telephone (08) 9432 2800 - Facsimile (08) 9432 2880
Email: holdings@wellard.com.au Website: www.wellard.com.au

Website: www.wellard.com.au
Background Wellard
Wellard is a world leader in the production and distribution of livestock and grain.
Its two largest subsidiaries are Wellard Rural Exports, Australias largest livestock exporter and ship owner, and
Wellard Agri, a large mixed farming land owner and operator specialising in the production of grains, legumes
and livestock.
Wellard Rural Exports has supplied quality dairy and beef cattle and sheep and goats to the world for more
than 30 years, and its investment in the live export industry is without peer. Based in Fremantle, Western
Australia, the companys operations cover every aspect of the export chain, including feed milling, livestock
aggregation, road transport, feedlot facilities throughout Australia and modern shipping.
The companys flagship carrier, the MV Ocean Drover (formerly the MV Becrux), is a purpose-built livestock
carrier capable of carrying 75,000 sheep or 18,000 cattle to major markets around the globe. She was
commissioned in 2002.
Two, technologically advanced, purpose-built vessels, the MV Ocean Swagman and the MV Ocean Outback,
were launched in 2010. They offer unparalleled levels of safety for the livestock, crew and vessel, and can
transport 7000 cattle, 25,000 sheep, or a combination of both.
Wellards abattoir, Beaufort River Meats, processes up to 2500 sheep and lambs a day, enabling Wellard to
meet customer demand for both livestock and chilled and frozen meat.
Wellard Agri owns and operates eight farms covering 35,700 hectares across three principal agri-hubs. The two
northern hubs are located at Dongara and Watheroo in Western Australias central midlands and one is
located at Kojonup in the Great Southern region of WA.
The Dongara hub is home to The Grange, a 14,500 hectare property which is considered one of Western
Australias blue chip farming properties.
The remaining landholding being more than 21,500 hectares, in total planting 23,500 hectares to a variety of
grains and legumes. The other 6,100ha is devoted to sheep and cattle production, including the Hyfield Poll
Merino stud at Kojonup. In addition, Wellard leases an additional 13,500ha for livestock and grain production.
Wellard Agri also has operations in the farm machinery sector, through management of the CLAAS Harvest
Centres at Esperance, Katanning, Wongan Hills and Geraldton for the Landpower range of farm machinery.

Visit www.wellard.com.au

Wellard Rural Exports - ABN 31 109 866 328

1A Pakenham Street, Fremantle WA 6160 - Telephone (08) 9432 2800 - Facsimile (08) 9432 2880
Email: holdings@wellard.com.au Website: www.wellard.com.au